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Building products like relationships: lessons for Product Managers

Product management is like dating, both require empathy, communication, and iteration. Learn how the lessons from relationships can improve your approach to building great products and fostering better user experiences.

Author

Stefanie Brown
February 14, 2025

Product management is a lot like dating or being in a relationship.

You: “I thought you wanted this feature?”
User: “I thought you understood me.”

Lessons from both:
🧡 Listen more than you talk.
🧡Small gestures (quick wins) go a long way.
🧡Surprises are great, unless they’re the wrong kind.
🧡If they’re ghosting you, something’s wrong.

Like any good relationship, building great products takes empathy, communication, and a whole lot of iteration.