15 Jun 15+ Words to Describe Great Product Managers
Writing a resume or job description?
Preparing to interview a product manager candidate or be interviewed for a product manager job?
I was recently asked to identify characteristics of a great product manager.
If functional expertise is a given, then what are the characteristics that take a product manager from good to great?
Here are some of the words I l use to describe the great product managers I have known and with whom I have worked.
authentic
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: real or genuine : not copied or false
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: true and accurate
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: an original
Conformity does not yield innovation.
curious
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: having a desire to learn or know more about something or someone
: marked by desire to investigate and learn
: marked by inquisitive interest in others’ concerns -
: strange, unusual, novel or unexpected
fearless
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: not afraid : very brave
- : not being afraid to fail
inquisitive
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: tending to ask questions : having a desire to know or learn more
insightful
- :having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive.
intuitive, perceptive, discerning, penetrating, penetrative, astute, percipient,perspicacious, sagacious, wise, judicious, shrewd, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, incisive, acute, imaginative, appreciative, intelligent, thoughtful, sensitive, deep, profound
intuitive
Credit: Pentera PGBuzz
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: having the ability to know or understand things without any proof or evidence : having or characterized by intuition
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: based on or agreeing with what is known or understood without any proof or evidence : known or understood by intuition
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: agreeing with what seems naturally right
Great product managers have a unique balance of left and right brain capabilities.
judicious
getgoodinstitute.com
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: having or showing good judgment
Judiciousness stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.
practical 
- : of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
Great product managers are practical, focused on actually doing something, yet I find them to have a quirky silliness and creative bent that sends them in innovative directions hidden from the view of the average mortal.
prudent
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: having or showing careful good judgment
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: shrewd in the management of practical affairs
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: marked by circumspection
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: acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
relentless
adjective ~ re·lent·less /rəˈlen(t)ləs/
- :oppressively constant; incessant.
- :showing or promising no abatement of intensity, strength, or pace
sagacious
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: having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions
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: having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
wise, clever, intelligent, knowledgeable, sensible, sage; discerning, judicious, canny, perceptive, astute, shrewd, prudent, thoughtful, insightful, perspicacious; streetwise, savvy
Sagacity is a common characteristic of great product managers.
sage
- :very wise through reflection, wide experience and great learning
sane
sapient 
- :wise, or appearing wise especially in the ways of being human
unpretentious
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: not having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are : not pretentious
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:not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed.
- :possessing humility in leadership
unaffected, natural, straightforward, open, honest, sincere, frank
There are of course many other words to describe what makes these human beings great product managers. These are some of my favorite. Please feel free to add your favorites in the comments.
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