There is a preconceived notion that Product Managers must come from a technical background to be successful.
It's not true!
As a Product Manager, your curiosity, and ability to learn, adapt, and evolve to new surroundings, are what separates the great from the average.
Leadership, communication, commercial acumen, relationship management, etc. are a must if you are to cut it with the best and be successful.
And these "soft skills" are what I look for and assess when I'm working with folks in the PM world.
Yes, some companies will prefer certain backgrounds or domain knowledge, and in some cases, it's advantageous to have strength in these areas, but if the PM doesn't have it and is a master of their craft, they'll be able to pick it up.
Some of the most experienced and respected CPOs, HoPs and Product Managers I've spoken with over the years have worked across a breadth of industries and have a wide range of backgrounds.
Their wide range of backgrounds and experience is a plus, not a negative.
The major upside is that these individuals will bring fresh thinking and new ways of working to any company they join.
Different backgrounds and experiences will help challenge bias and stagnant thinking which helps drive innovation and growth for a company.
Do you think a technical background is essential if you want to be a successful Product Manager?
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