Ask Dave #002 What Skills Do You Need to Be a Product Manager?

Breaking Down the Essential Skills Every Product Manager Needs — From Execution to Strategy

Hey Friends, 👋 One of the most common questions I receive is: “What skills do you need to be a Product Manager?”

If you’ve ever researched this, you’ve likely encountered many competency lists, frameworks, and contradictory perspectives. 😵‍💫

Some companies emphasize technical expertise, others prioritise business acumen, and some focus on user experience.

The reality is that Product Management is not a one-size-fits-all role. The skills required depend on the industry, company, and specific type of PM role.

However, despite these differences, there are foundational skills that every successful Product Manager must develop. In this article, I will break them down into:

1. The core skills every PM needs (regardless of company or industry).

2. The specialized skills that vary by PM type.