Rise Above the Rest: The 10 Essential Traits of Elite Software Product Managers

This post in the PM Career Insights Series answered the question “What do you see are key traits of those that are one or two career steps ahead?”.?

In the dynamic world of software product management, the ability to adapt, learn, and lead is essential for career advancement. A question that is often asked by those looking to progress in their career is, “What do you see are key traits of those that are one or two career steps ahead of me?”. Throughout my journey—from leading product strategies at companies like Microsoft and Kahoot! to founding and growing my own ventures—I’ve discovered that certain traits are critical to progressing in this field. In this post, I’ll share the key traits that have been instrumental in my career, along with real-world examples of how they’ve played out in my work.

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is crucial for aligning product development with the broader goals of the company. At Kahoot!, I played a pivotal role in the turnaround and successful launch of Kahoot! Story, a storytelling tool. This project was previously stagnant post-acquisition of Motimate and Actimo, the two corporate learning and engagement platforms we had acquired to complement Kahoot!’s positioning in the enterprise segment which I led. Recognizing that this tool had the potential to expand Kahoot!’s value proposition beyond just quiz-based learning, I focused on aligning it with the company’s long-term strategic vision.

I didn’t just consider the immediate goal of launching the product; I also thought about how Kahoot! Story could integrate with other product offerings and contribute to the broader ecosystem we were building. By doing so, we were able to position Kahoot! not just as a platform for quizzes, but as a comprehensive educational tool that empowered users to tell their stories in engaging, interactive formats. This strategic alignment was key to turning Kahoot! Story from a stalled project into a valuable asset that not only resonated with users but also contributed to increase in user engagement.

Tip: Regularly evaluate how your product decisions contribute to the company’s broader goals.

Reflect: How can you integrate long-term strategic goals into your product roadmap?

Problem-Solving Skills

Effective problem-solving goes beyond addressing immediate issues; it involves diagnosing root causes and implementing sustainable solutions. During my tenure at Telenor, I co-developed and launched AppControl, an app that used machine learning to predict mobile data usage and offer dynamic personalized pricing. Initially, we faced challenges in gaining user adoption due to the complexity of the app. By analyzing user behavior and conducting A/B tests, we refined the app’s user interface, leading to a 107% increase in incremental data usage among users.

Tip: When facing a problem, dig deep to identify the root cause and use data-driven approaches to solve it.

Reflect: What recent challenges have you faced, and how did you ensure that your solution addressed the root cause?

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is key to managing relationships with cross-functional teams. At Microsoft, leading the product strategy for M365 Copilot required close collaboration with various partner teams, each with their own priorities. By fostering an environment of empathy and open communication, I was able to align these teams around a shared vision, ensuring the successful integration of personalized features across multiple platforms.

Tip: Practice active listening and empathy with all stakeholders to build stronger collaboration.

Reflect: How do you handle conflicts within your team? How can you use emotional intelligence to improve these situations?

Effective Communication

Clear and effective communication is vital for aligning diverse teams and stakeholders, especially when launching new product initiatives. At Kahoot!, I led the launch of Kahoot! Courses, a new product vertical aimed at educators. This project required bringing together cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and sales, all with their own perspectives and priorities.

To ensure the success of Kahoot! Courses, I developed a comprehensive communication strategy that involved regular updates and workshops with each team. I tailored my communication to address the specific concerns and contributions of each group, ensuring that everyone was aligned with the product’s vision and objectives. This approach played a crucial role in the successful launch, significantly contributing to Kahoot!’s growth in the corporate learning segment.

Tip: Tailor your communication to your audience, ensuring clarity and alignment with your product’s goals. Regular updates and targeted workshops can help ensure that every team understands their role in the product’s success.

Reflect: Are your communications effectively tailored to your audience? What can you do to improve the clarity and impact of your messages?

Time Management and Productivity

Managing time effectively is crucial, especially when balancing multiple high-impact roles across different time zones. During my time as Head of Sales and Marketing at LiveAdmins, a US-focused company with the head office in Pakistan, I simultaneously served as the founder and CEO of OH Marketing, a digital marketing agency in Pakistan. This required me to manage two full-time roles, working US Central Time hours for LiveAdmins and Pakistan 9 to 5 hours for OH Marketing.

To manage this intense schedule, I implemented a strict time management strategy that allowed me to maximize productivity and maintain focus across both roles. By structuring my day meticulously and maintaining a clear division between the two roles, I was able to successfully lead OH Marketing while significantly contributing to the growth of LiveAdmins. Within six months of taking on the Head of Sales role, I not only managed to unify and enhance the performance of both the sales and marketing teams but also drove a 35% increase in annual sales. This success earned me an offer to lead the entire country operations, further demonstrating that adaptability can directly translate into significant career advancement and company growth.

Tip: Use time-blocking to manage multiple responsibilities effectively, especially when working across different time zones. Align your most critical tasks with your peak productivity hours and ensure clear boundaries between roles.

Reflect: How do you manage your time when balancing multiple roles or working across different time zones? Are you optimizing your schedule to match your energy levels and priorities?

Adaptability

The ability to adapt quickly to new roles and responsibilities is essential in product management and leadership. One of the most significant tests of my adaptability came during my time at LiveAdmins. After successfully building the marketing team from scratch, growing it from 0 to 8 people, I was unexpectedly asked to take on the role of Head of Sales just six months into my tenure.

Prior to this, my experience with sales was limited—I had made only a few cold calls and had never sold anything through cold calling. However, my CEO believed in my leadership skills and my ability to learn quickly. Despite the steep learning curve, I embraced the challenge and stepped into a role where I was responsible for managing a team of 7 highly seasoned salespeople, in addition to the 8 people in marketing.

I had to rapidly develop new skills, from mastering sales techniques to understanding the nuances of managing a seasoned sales team. By leveraging my adaptability, I not only succeeded in this role but also built a cohesive, high-performing sales and marketing team. My success in this position led to an offer to lead the entire company’s operations, demonstrating that adaptability is a key trait in advancing one’s career, even in unfamiliar territory.

Tip: Stay open to new opportunities, especially those outside your comfort zone. Adaptability is about being willing to learn and grow, even in roles you’re not initially familiar with.

Reflect: How have you adapted to new roles or responsibilities in your career? What steps can you take to further develop your adaptability?

Expertise and Knowledge

Deep knowledge of your product and market is vital for making informed decisions. While working at Microsoft, I leverage my expertise in AI and large language models to guide the development of M365 Copilot, ensuring that our product is not only technically sound but also aligned with user needs and market trends. This expertise allowed me to make strategic decisions that enhanced the product's value and market fit.

Tip: Continuously educate yourself on both technical and market aspects of your product.

Reflect: How deep is your understanding of the technical and market dynamics of your product? What areas need further development?

Networking Skills

Building and maintaining a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations that significantly impact your career. During my time at Telenor, I won an internal startup competition and earned a spot in the Ignite incubator program, which included a three-month stint at StartupLab in Oslo. This experience was invaluable not just for entrepreneurial learning, but also for the connections I made.

While at StartupLab, I met Petter and Soheil, who would later become my co-founders at Diffia, a health tech venture. Our shared vision and complementary skills laid the foundation for our collaboration. This connection, forged through the networking opportunities provided by the incubator program, was pivotal in me joining Diffia as a Co-Founder and COO. Together, we successfully launched Nimble, a product that not only received positive feedback from healthcare professionals but also secured critical early-stage funding, enabling us to bring innovative AI solutions to the healthcare industry.

This experience underscored the importance of networking—not just within your current role but also in broader industry contexts. The relationships you build today can lead to future collaborations that propel your career in unexpected and rewarding directions.

Tip: Actively network within your industry to build relationships that can support your product and career growth. Attend industry events, participate in hackathons, and be open to new connections that align with your long-term goals.

Reflect: How strong is your network within your industry? What steps can you take to expand it?

Leadership and Teamwork

Leadership in product management involves guiding cross-functional teams toward a shared goal. At Diffia, as we developed Nimble, I led a diverse team of engineers, a designer, and healthcare professionals. I focused on creating a culture of open communication and mutual respect, where every team member’s expertise was not only valued but actively sought after. This collaborative approach was crucial in delivering a product that was not only technically sound but also highly attuned to the practical needs of healthcare providers, resulting in strong positive feedback within our nurses who tested the product.

Tip: Lead by example and create a collaborative environment where all team members feel valued.

Reflect: How do you inspire and motivate your team? What can you do to foster better collaboration?

Continuous Learning

The tech industry evolves rapidly, and staying ahead requires a commitment to continuous learning. As a Product Manager, I’ve consistently dedicated 5-7 hours each week specifically to structured learning. This doesn’t include the everyday learning that comes from work experiences, meetings, or team interactions, but rather focused time for courses, reading, and deep dives into critical topics.

For example, while working at Diffia, I recognized that developing our pricing strategy would be pivotal for the success of our product. To bridge my knowledge gap, I pursued a course on Coursera about pricing strategies. This targeted learning equipped me to devise a strategy that significantly contributed to our product's profitability. Additionally, I regularly revisit foundational skills such as leadership and team collaboration, using biographies of business leaders like Build and Creativity Inc. as inspiration. These books offer more than just tips—they provide context-rich insights from leaders who have faced and overcome challenges similar to those we encounter in product management.

Tip: Dedicate time each week to learning new skills or gaining deeper insights into emerging technologies. It’s not just about the quantity of time spent learning, but the quality and relevance of what you learn.

Reflect: What new skills or knowledge have you gained recently? How will you continue to grow and stay relevant in your field?

As you reflect on these traits, I encourage you to identify one specific area where you’d like to grow. Whether it’s honing your strategic thinking or expanding your network, set a concrete goal for the next month and take actionable steps toward it. Consider seeking out a mentor, attending a relevant workshop, or dedicating time each week to focused learning in that area. Remember, career progression is not just about hard work but about strategically aligning your growth with the evolving needs of your organization and the broader tech landscape. Start today by taking one step closer to becoming the leader you aspire to be.