the toughest part of being a product person: It's all about people
you know, after getting straight to the point, I realized there's another really tough challenge I wanted to talk about. it’s how hard it is to deal with people, even when all you’re doing is trying to meet their most basic expectations.
we often talk about roadmaps, user stories, metrics, and tech stacks. but if there’s one unspoken, yet constantly present, hurdle that defines our daily grind, it’s the sheer complexity of human interaction. this isn't just about managing a product; it’s truly about managing people. you might think the hardest part is nailing the perfect MVP, surviving a critical bug, or getting a bunch of stakeholders to agree on a tricky feature. and yes, surely those are tough. but peel back any of those layers, and you'll almost always find the real friction comes from people: their diverse opinions, competing priorities, unspoken assumptions, and wildly different communication styles.
after all this time, I’ve noticed a few things that really work when dealing with different people. I’ll try to list them in a way that makes sense:
- it's all about understanding the context and thinking outside the box
when you’re trying to align on the best solution, or even just trying to truly understand the pain point you need to solve, understanding the full context is key. This helps you ask the right questions and really read between the lines when someone says, "Yes, this is exactly what I need..." spoiler alert: that person probably hasn't even considered there are at least five different ways to tackle that problem. only by having the full context and looking at the bigger picture can you truly see those possibilities and help guide them to the best path.
- adapt how you speak (or write!)
this might seem obvious, but interacting with "higher-ups" is always a challenge, even if you have a great, long-lasting relationship with them. remember, at the end of the day, this is your job, and no one is paid to be your friend in the same way your actual friends are. this doesn't mean you need to be a robot or can't cultivate genuine connections. but always keep in mind that you can't treat everyone like they're your best buddy. ultimately, it's all about delivering results and achieving outcomes.
- be polite, politic, and proactive
you can't always control the chaos, but you can control your approach.
polite: always start with respect. even when discussions get heated or opinions clash, maintaining a polite and courteous demeanor de-escalates tension. it's about being professional, even when others aren't.
politic: this means being strategic and diplomatic. understand the unspoken dynamics, who influences whom, and what truly drives people. sometimes, the best way to get something done isn't a direct confrontation, but a thoughtful conversation over coffee or finding an unexpected ally. it's about understanding the game and playing it smartly.
proactive: don't wait for problems to escalate. if you sense a disconnect, a misunderstanding, or a brewing conflict, address it early. proactively seeking feedback, clarifying expectations, and reaching out before things get complicated can save a lot of headaches down the line. it's about anticipating the human element and getting ahead of it.
my takeaway:
these lessons weren't learned in a textbook; they were forged in the daily interactions, the tough conversations, and the moments where you just had to figure out how to make people work together. dealing with people is hard, yet it remains one of the most rewarding aspects of job. even on days when I'd prefer to work in silence, I still find immense value and satisfaction in these interactions.
MPM