The Secret Ingredient for Building Better Digital Products? Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Product managers are increasingly valued not just for their technical skills, but for soft skills like emotional intelligence (EQ). Why does EQ matter so much in product?

EQ allows PMs to truly understand users' needs, pains, and desires. By honing skills like empathy and customer insight, they can advocate for what truly improves the customer experience.

PMs with high EQ excel at the human-centered parts of product development, here are some tips:

• Observe users in their natural environments to gain empathy. Seeing real behaviors and emotions in context is powerful.
• Conduct user interviews focused on feelings and needs beyond just functionality. Ask "why?" to unearth deeper motivations.
• Listen fully without judgment during research. Set assumptions aside to understand perspectives.
• Role play customer journeys to experience them first-hand. Walk through scenarios and touchpoints.
• Analyze qualitative insights as well as quantitative data to balance human stories with hard metrics.
• Develop genuine connections with stakeholders through trust and communication. Earn buy-in.
• Tailor messaging to resonate with specific audiences by understanding their values.
• Facilitate ideation sessions focused on emotions and connections vs. just features.
• Mentor team members with emotional intelligence to shape a culture of empathy.

Without empathy for the user, it's easy for PMs to get distracted by vanity metrics, flashy features, or their own assumptions. EQ helps them stay grounded in what adds real value.

By combining empathy, analytics, and business acumen, emotionally intelligent PMs drive products that connect at a human level while moving key success metrics. Their insights unite teams around a shared purpose - serving customers.

In the digital age, success comes from understanding humans, not just technology. Emotionally intelligent PMs will build the products users love.

Learn more about emotional intelligence:

• One of the most valuable things I've personally done was had the opportunity to take a executive certificate program at Case Western University Emotionally Intelligent Leader (Executive Education) when I was a digital product leader at KeyBank. I highly recommend it.
• At Toyota Financial we've had the opportunity to go through some training by Patrice Borders around EQ, it was a great reminder. Also check out her LinkedIn Newsletter - it's awesome!

What did I miss and what are your thoughts?

I love you all!