Product Manager Gives Poor Solutions to Product Designers
What should I do when my senior product manager suggests random solutions without proper research or understanding the actual user problems?
Whenever I try to discuss or challenge these solutions, the situation turns toxic. Instead of focusing on the issue, he brings up unrelated mistakes I’ve made in the past
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
It can be a tricky situation.
My first advice would be to build a relationship outside the meetings, with the PM. Go from a place of trust and respect. Understanding his larger goals, ambition (if any) is the key.
My second advice would be to look at the situation from a game/puzzle perspective.
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During the conversations, dont be the speaker - be the facilitator- make a stage for different opinions and perspectives to be shared. Workshop usually gives a great setting.
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Speak from a place of expertise and insight, not just to be heard. Substance over ego.
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Senior folks can easily form echo chambers - dont say yes to their ideas because of power dynamics. Say you dont agree, this may not get the an ideal outcome for the users. Being the voice of reason and reality is valuable.
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Focus on user behaviour rather than implementation of “how” a feature is being discussed. You will notice this small change causes a great deal of quality discussions.
Lastly, be open about your expertise - User behaviour and Human / machine interaction. You are not an expert in business. Your focus is to create an experience for users that they can not only use, but find joy while using it. Thats what makes great product.