Think different
Steve Jobs was many things: a vegetarian, a tyrant, a detail-obsessive genius. But here's something that often gets overlooked - he was arguably the most incredible product manager in tech history.
His superpower? Taste. Pure, intuitive, forward-looking taste.
For all the product managers out there wondering how to develop this magical skill, here are some practical tips:
-
Look beyond the metrics. Frequency and retention are great, but the real magic happens in those subtle, almost imperceptible moments of user delight.
-
Practice active observation. Watch for those micro-moments during demos when a user leans in, gets excited, or shows genuine engagement.
-
Build a "joy library." Start cataloging those unexpected user behaviours and patterns that weren't part of your original design. These are your hidden insights.
-
Trust your gut, but validate with real-world interactions. Intuition + observation = product magic.
Remember, great product management isn't just about data - it's about understanding the emotional connection users have with what you're creating.
Related
- I once tried to fire a customerI offered our most demanding customer a refund. She told me we were mission-critical. What high-maintenance customers reveal about where your product matters.
- How to avoid the trap of flattering feedbackCompliments aren't insight. A simple process for getting past flattering customer feedback: look for patterns, ask better questions, and analyze at scale.
- Signs of Product-Market Fit (Before the Metrics Make It Obvious)The early signs of product-market fit that show up in customer behaviour before the metrics do, and the warning signs that you might be fooling yourself.