Some non-essential books for Product Managers
The 2022 version
Many folks recently asked me what my favourite Platform Product books are and if I have any specific recommendations. And, I do, but it also got me thinking about an article I wrote for my now-forgotten Medium blog about non-product books that I found helpful and impacted how I operate. So I am starting a book-specific series backwards, with non-product books that I recommend.
BUT I think it’s also counter-intuitive to believe there are specific books that can make you better at PM’ing because truth be told, there aren’t any. Not even INSPIRED if you don’t work in the right environment.
Throughout my career, I have learned more from non-Platform-specific books about operating as a Platform Product Manager. As an example, right now, I am reading Obviously Awesome (partially thanks to a recommendation from
) and Pieces of the Action by Vannevar Bush. Both are entirely different, but both are relevant. One talks about Product positioning, and the other about Innovation.Anyway, I digress. Again. So, I will leave you with this article I wrote last year and with a final thought that Beth Comstock’s book remains THE BEST business book I’ve read in a very, very long time.
The Books
To this day, INSPIRED remains the Bible for anyone who wants to break into product management. It is a fantastic book with actionable insight. But I am not going to talk to you about that or the other must-read books on Product Management.
Recently I came across so many articles like: 20 books all Product Managers must read or 5 books every great Product Manager has to have on the bookshelf, etc, etc, etc — you got the idea.
Here is the thing: I don’t believe there is one book that can make you successful. As Product Managers, we have to keep a growth mindset and be curious so that we can be good at what we do. That can take many shapes, not only reading.
Indeed, there are many great Product Management books that can help us to better our craft. But when learning we should expand our resources, outside Product.
This article aims to talk about non-product books, which I found useful. These had a big influence on my product thinking and how I approach different situations.
Credit: Some books I’ve read from my own personal collection
Imagine it Forward: Courage, Creativity and the Power of Change, Beth Comstock
I was given this book by a friend of mine working in Engineering. I decided to give it a go-to to see if he was trying to tell me something. It is to this day, the best business book I’ve read.
Friend, if you read this, I owe you some Amazon credit.
Beth Comstock’s story it’s so inspiring. It offers practical insight on influencing change and facing adversity. I learned not only how to embrace tension but how to navigate it too.
I have used some of these insights to craft my approach when dealing with change.
Key takeaways:
Discovery: “Discovery is about infusing yourself with a spirit of inquiry and curiosity, turning the world into a classroom for learning and for unearthing ideas that can make change possible”.
Managing tension: “Innovation is the result of seeking out tension, not avoiding it. It’s not about reassurance or consensus — it often encourages confrontation”
Influencing change: “Share a new mindset, spreading ideas bottom-up and outside-in, finding dedicated agents of change within the company to make the story their own”
I’ve quoted Beth on all the above because I don’t think any of my reviews will do it justice.
The Art of Creative Thinking, Rod Jenkins
This is a pocket guide with great short stories about the behaviour of creative thinkers.
Key Takeaways:
Creative thinking: If like me you thought that creativity it’s something that people happen to have…I’m pleased to tell you that like me, you are wrong.
There are many techniques (some of which you will find in the book — hello jazz improvisation!) that can help uncover your creative side.
Imposter Syndrome: In the words of Tennessee Williams “I don’t believe anyone ever suspects how completely unsure I am of my work and myself and what tortures of self-doubting the doubt of others has always given me.”
This sums up my constant struggle with imposter syndrome. That is until I read a short story in this book about feeling inadequate. I started to understand that passion for what you do and self-doubt go hand in hand.
The book hasn’t magically solved this problem but has changed the way I view imposter syndrome.
Continuous Iteration: Did you know that F. Scott Fitzgerald used to write and re-write his stories? Leonardo Da Vinci allegedly carried with him his paintings in all his travels so he can always improve them?
The book is full of stories like the ones above and to circle back to the words of the author: “The book is not meant to be read linearly. When your creativity is running low or you feel the need for inspiration, open any page at random.”
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the age of Amazon, Brad Stone
Key takeaways:
Vision: The book validates (for me at least) once again that a strong product vision can take you a long way. Sure a vision is nothing without the talent that can execute it and a degree of risk-taking, but it’s needed to have a successful product.
The author goes into a lot of detail on how Amazon as a product was born and developed.
Launching new product lines: Kindle, Cloud Computing, Next Day Delivery are all good examples of the constant pursuit of innovation and courage to try new things.
One of my favourite stories here is the launch of AWS. This happened because Jeff Bezos decided he wants people to see Amazon as a Tech company and not a Retailer, which they were at the time.
If you are looking for a book about management at Amazon, this isn’t it. It is an excellent guide for all product managers and founders on how Amazon builds product.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
I read loads of good reviews about this book and decided to give it a go. I also read this book at a time when I was struggling with focus.
Key takeaways:
Mission: Why does the Product team exist? What does the product hope to achieve? What difference will it make to the users? All questions we asked ourselves at one point.
Answering those questions is a collaboration exercise between you, the team, and the stakeholders. And it is fundamental you address those if you want your product to be successful and build alignment.
Before you get too excited, the book won’t give you the answers. It will provide you with some mental models to work with when trying to answer those questions.
Experimentation & Testing: There is a good story in the book about Steve Jobs’ love for a type of porcelain made by an artist in Kyoto. He loved it so much that he bought a collection of vases, cups, and plates.
In one of his last visits to Kyoto, Steve’s requirements were loose: he asked for a set of twelve teacups, something special and with no model in mind.
In the process of testing new products, the artists made 150 cups! and only chose 12 to send to Steve Jobs. Sounds familiar?
This is not a traditional business type of book but I really liked it.
I have also used the Ikigai model to answer the existential career-question I always had: Why do I want to work in Product, specifically in the Platform space?
Jeff Gothelf has some very good material on the same topic of finding your purpose: https://jeffgothelf.com/blog/tag/ikigai/
My list was originally longer but I decided to cut it down just to these four books because:
I found them to be the most impactful
They are easy, fun to read
They leave you with actionable insight that you may choose to follow (or not).
Other books I would also recommend if you are into reading:
Doing Research in the Real World
I hope this helps some of my fellow peers and let me know what are your favourite non-product, Product books.
I am always looking for new recommendations.
The article was originally published on the 1st April 2022, on my Medium blog: https://medium.com/@alexandra.craciun/some-non-essential-books-for-product-managers-3b062136f2b4
See ya, next Friday!