How communication skills are important for Product Manager with LinkedIn's Taruna

Speaker Background: The speaker, Taruna, is a senior product manager at LinkedIn with 10 years of experience in product management. She has worked in both B2B and B2C sectors, including startups like Wingify, Zita, and Swiggy before joining LinkedIn. Currently, she manages the Creator Charter for communities at LinkedIn. Accidental Product Manager: Taruna describes herself as an accidental product manager, highlighting that effective product management involves four key skills: reading well, writing well, listening well, and speaking well. Role of Communication in Product Management: Taruna emphasizes that a significant part of a product manager's day involves communication, both written and oral. Reading and listening skills are crucial for gathering information from various sources within the company and making informed decisions. Communication Tips for Product Managers: Taruna advises product managers to be generous with praises, publicly acknowledging the contributions of team members. Building strong relationships with stakeholders involves finding common ground, being credible, and earning trust over time. Understanding Stakeholder Decision-Making Styles: Taruna discusses five types of decision-makers: Charismatics, Thinkers, Skeptics, Followers, and Controllers. Tailoring communication to address each type's preferences and concerns is essential for effective collaboration and decision-making.