The function of a product supervisor has all the time been advanced, balancing enterprise objectives, buyer wants, and cross-functional collaboration. However as AI-driven instruments tackle extra of the execution work—analyzing information, optimizing workflows, and even producing roadmaps—the way forward for product administration is in flux. Technical abilities alone gained’t make you an important product chief. The way forward for product administration belongs to those that can construct relationships, affect with out authority, and drive alignment throughout the group.
On this version of Productside Tales, we sat down with Ravi Ramsaran, a product chief who has constructed and led groups throughout fintech, SaaS, and enterprise know-how. He shared his perspective on what separates good product managers from nice ones—and why delicate abilities have gotten essentially the most important asset in product management.
The Hidden Superpower of Nice Product Leaders
Many product managers deal with mastering the onerous abilities—constructing roadmaps, refining backlogs, and monitoring KPIs. However as Ravi identified, that’s simply the baseline. The actual problem isn’t transport options—it’s driving alignment and influencing outcomes.
Contemplate this: One of the best concepts don’t all the time win. It’s the product managers who can successfully talk their imaginative and prescient, get buy-in from stakeholders, and encourage groups who drive actual influence.
“Product managers don’t succeed as a result of they’ve the very best concepts. They succeed as a result of they will get others enthusiastic about their concepts and convey them to life.”
So, what are the delicate abilities that set aside high-impact product leaders?
1. Find out how to Affect With out Authority
One of many hardest components of being a product supervisor? You don’t have direct authority over many of the groups you’re employed with. Engineers, designers, gross sales, and advertising all have their very own priorities, and so they don’t report back to you.
Ravi emphasised that the best PMs know methods to construct credibility and affect choices with out forcing them.
Which means:
- Understanding what motivates every stakeholder and framing product choices in a approach that aligns with their objectives.
- Listening actively and addressing issues earlier than they flip into roadblocks.
- Talking the language of the enterprise—translating product priorities into metrics that management cares about.
Key takeaway: Affect is about belief. The extra your colleagues belief that you just perceive their challenges, the extra seemingly they’re to help your initiatives.
2. Communication is a Superpower
In keeping with Ravi, clear communication is without doubt one of the greatest differentiators between common and distinctive PMs. Whether or not it’s framing a roadmap technique for executives, writing product specs that engineers can truly use, or rallying a workforce round a imaginative and prescient, the way you talk immediately impacts execution pace and alignment.
Finest practices for robust communication:
- Be specific. Don’t assume others see the complete image—break advanced concepts into easy, digestible narratives.
- Over-communicate priorities. A very good PM makes positive their workforce all the time is aware of what actually issues.
- Use storytelling. Knowledge is necessary, however tales make concepts stick.
Key takeaway: One of the best PMs don’t simply present info—they create readability. If folks consistently ask for extra particulars, that’s an indication your communication isn’t touchdown.
3. Relationship-Constructing is Your Secret Weapon
Product managers who construct robust relationships win extra battles, sooner. Ravi highlighted that nice PMs deal with stakeholders—not simply prospects—as companions.
Which means:
- Constructing belief with engineers so that they see product as a accomplice, not only a request machine.
- Aligning with advertising and gross sales to make sure go-to-market methods make sense.
- Creating bridges with management by proactively sharing insights and exhibiting how product choices drive enterprise development.
Ravi shared an instance of how a robust relationship with a VP of Gross sales helped him fast-track a serious product resolution. As an alternative of ready for limitless debate, he had a direct line to management—and the belief wanted to maneuver ahead shortly.
Key takeaway: Relationships don’t simply make your job simpler—they unlock alternatives that wouldn’t exist in any other case.
4. Emotional Intelligence Drives Product Success
In case you’re main a workforce—or influencing a number of groups—you want to have the ability to learn the room.
Emotional intelligence (EQ) helps PMs:
- Navigate troublesome conversations (particularly when tensions run excessive).
- Perceive stakeholder motivations to get higher buy-in.
- Assist workforce morale—as a result of a burned-out workforce can’t construct nice merchandise.
As Ravi put it: “A very good PM will get issues completed. An awesome PM understands folks—and helps them do their greatest work.”
Key takeaway: Mastering EQ helps you anticipate challenges earlier than they occur—and resolve conflicts with out pointless friction.
Is the Way forward for Product Administration Human-Centered?
AI and automation are taking up extra technical elements of product administration—analyzing buyer information, optimizing roadmaps, even writing PRDs. However AI can’t substitute the human aspect of product management.
The PMs who thrive sooner or later gained’t simply be nice at technique and execution. They’ll be distinctive at collaboration, communication, and affect.
Ravi’s closing piece of recommendation?
“If you wish to future-proof your profession, spend money on your delicate abilities. One of the best product leaders don’t simply handle merchandise. They lead folks.”
Wish to Construct These Abilities? Right here’s The place to Begin
Delicate abilities are the distinction between a PM who ships options and a PM who drives actual enterprise influence.
What’s been the most important delicate abilities problem in your PM profession? Share your ideas within the feedback or join with us on LinkedIn.
March 12, 2025
