Are you lifting weights in the proper way?
Are you lifting weights in the proper way?
A surprisingly easy and simple way to become a better Product Manager
Gym workouts have become an integral part of my daily morning routine. It serves a few purposes for me - boosting my physical and mental energy, toning up my body and building muscle.
I was in the gym today working out my chest and shoulders by doing a Decline Barbell Bench Press. It's a great exercise for strengthening lower chest muscles. I wasn’t overcompensating, the movement was controlled, and it felt good.
But I wasn’t doing the exercise in the right way
I was lowering the barbell to the upper side instead of the lower side of my chest before pushing it back up to the starting position. Hence, I wasn’t targeting the right muscle group which made the movement inefficient.
I only realized it when a more experienced gym member saw me doing the exercise and offered advice. Here’s what he did:
1. He asked me what I’m trying to achieve
2. He told me what I’m doing wrong
3. He explained why the movement was inefficient
4. He showed me the position I should be lowering the barbell to
5. He laid down on the bench by himself and showed me how he does this exercise
6. He told me about the number of reps I should be targeting for the greatest impact
In order words, I experienced an impromptu coaching session that helped me to perfect my Decline Barbell Bench Press technique and be more efficient at building my muscles (one of my purposes, remember?).
I couldn’t help myself thinking about this situation
I’ve been exercising at least 5 times a week since I was 10 years old (around 20 years!). But the time-based experience doesn’t mean anything if I keep repeating the same mistakes.
While time is important to the development of knowledge and skill, it is not necessarily a good indicator of the amount of development that has occurred. That’s why getting coached by more experienced people in the field can save you years of doing things in a wrong and inefficient way!
Let's apply the same thinking to the Product Management world
Product Development is a messy and non-linear process with lots of loopholes that a Product Manager needs to jump through.
Coming up with product vision and strategy, setting goals, deep-diving into the problem space, defining solutions and delivering them with a cross-functional team...
Having a significant number of build-launch-learn repetitions under one’s belt doesn’t mean that you’re an expert in the field. Let alone, if you are just starting your Product Management journey.
What matters are the user outcomes and business impact that you’re creating through your product work (equivalent to building muscles in the gym). And if you’re not happy with the amount of impact that you are creating, it’s a sign that you could benefit from a coach.
Uncover and address your weaknesses and blind spots
Behavior and task-based approach adjustments (even the slightest ones) achieved through coaching can significantly uplift one’s performance. There are 2 areas that you need to focus on.
1. Known Unknowns
You know what you don’t know - things you are aware of but don't understand. That’s your known weaknesses. In other words, you are aware of your weaknesses and how they may impact your work and the organization.
2. Unknown Unknowns
You don’t know what you don’t know - things you are neither aware of nor understand. These are your blind spots. In other words, you are not aware of your weaknesses. This can create significant issues for your personal and professional development.
There are different levels of ‘blindness’ that one can experience.
1. Lack of Awareness (lack of awareness of an issue or a vulnerability)
2. Faulty Assessment (unclear potential impact of the vulnerability)
3. Failed Action (lack of skill to address the vulnerability)
Self-awareness is always the first step to knowing yourself as an individual or a leader. Seeking support from your manager, peers, advisors or external coaches is the right way to approach your weaknesses and blind spots.
So, are you pushing the barbell up in the proper way?
I’m open to coaching product managers who are starting their journey, transitioning into a product leadership role or leading product teams.
I’d be more than happy to help startup founders or executives from larger companies who are facing product headwinds. Schedule a session with me here.