[SHORT] What Startup Founders Can Learn from Product People with Moshe Mikanovsky

Communication

Effective communication is crucial for managing stakeholder relationships in product management. Moshe Mikanovsky emphasizes that product managers must develop skills to navigate between business, clients, market, developers, and designers. He notes that founders often have inherent communication skills but may need to adapt them beyond sales-driven approaches 1. For those looking to enhance their skills, Mikanovsky recommends reading "Inspired" or "Empowered" by Marty Kagan and "Aligned" by Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel 2.

Stakeholder management is a big thing and a big skill that product managers have to develop.

--- Moshe Mikanovsky

Additionally, he suggests listening to podcasts like "Product for Product" and "Beyond Product" for further insights.

   

Expectations

Managing expectations with stakeholders is a complex task that requires understanding user behavior beyond surveys. Moshe Mikanovsky advises against over-relying on surveys, as they often reflect what users say rather than what they do 1. Instead, he suggests observing users in their natural environment to gain genuine insights into their needs and behaviors.

Listen to clients, listen to users, but don't always believe what they say. Believe in what they do.

--- Moshe Mikanovsky

This approach helps in setting realistic expectations and building products that truly resonate with users.