Mostafa Fathy’s Post

Did you know that this week (May-15) was International Product Day? As a Product Leader, people often ask me how I got started in this field. It all began with building a strong foundation in software development and project management. After honing my technical and leadership skills and working closely with customers, my business acumen and strategic thinking grew. When my first offer to become a product manager came along, I refused it due to bad timing. I knew I needed to be consistent and wait for the right opportunity that aligned with my career goals. When the second offer came along, I seized it. Here are my five tips for aspiring product managers: * Continuously develop your technical skills. Never stop! * Gain a deep understanding of business strategy * Build a strong professional network. Get out of your comfort zone! * Demonstrate leadership in cross-functional projects * Maintain a proactive approach to career development If you want to learn more about my journey or have any questions, feel free to reach out. #productmanagement #careerdevelopment #professionalnetwork #leadership #businessstrategy #technicalskills #InternationalProductDay

For product managers who want to take charge of their #productmanagement career, it's time to engage with our NEW "Product Management Career Accelerator" mini-course and certificate program. It's time to embrace your career and take charge of your future. Based on my new book, The Product Manager's Career Path, you'll quickly learn what it means to get ahead and get promoted. A 45-minute investment with a powerful ROI! #productmanagement #productstrategy #leadership #productled https://lnkd.in/eRga7GWY

Developing your core skills as a Product Manager just like any role, is critical to success. Some ways I have learned to enhance my skillset: 1. Strategic Thinking: Engaging in strategic discussions with Leads/Managers and staying updated on industry trends to enhance my strategic mindset. 2. Problem-Solving: Learning to operate in ambiguity and show initiative in creating solutions. After determining viable solutions, having the confidence to enact bias for action and operate with a solution-oriented mindset. 3. Stakeholder Management: Building relationships across departments, attending networking events, and learning to understand and address diverse stakeholder perspectives. 4. Leadership: Taking on leadership roles within projects and owning delivery or aspects of it. #productmanagement #projectmanagement

If there’s anything I’ve learned from over 10 years of experience as a product manager and the hundreds of years more of the PMs I’ve met and learned from, it’s that recognition is the most fundamental trait of any successful product manager. Without recognition of self, we don’t fully grasp the impact of our achievements, the limitations of our skills, or the state of our career. And, without recognition of others, we hold back our teams from growing and evolving as well as they should have been if you were an effective product manager (like it or not, more than half of what it takes to be a good “product manager” is really being a good “people manager”). Today, I share some of the highlights from a conversation I recently had with a few other PMs around recognition. 🤲 Help spread the word -- if you found this helpful, share and repost to help others who need to see this. #productmanagement #productmanagers #recognition #influence #strategy #empowerment #careeradvice #careergrowth #careercoaching #mentorship #leadership #selfimprovement #selfawareness #teamwork #credibility

Leveling up the product ladder? 🥽 Beyond the job desc, what hidden skills do you need? Senior PM → GPM: Strategic vision, cross-team influence, grooming talent 💡 GPM → Director: Executive stakeholder management, budgeting mastery, org design 💰 What other unsaid competencies make the difference as responsibilities scale? Share the open secrets of product leadership! #productmanagement #careerlevels

#GratitudePost Recently had the privilege of meeting an inspiring leader who provided me a fresh outlook on Product Management! A key takeaway I had was the significance of believing in oneself as Product Manager and shattering the imposter syndrome. I felt that adopting this mindset is essential to emanate confidence, and it's crucial for Product Managers to embody this mindset. A confident product manager can navigate uncertainties with a positive outlook, inspiring the team to do the same. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders requires confidence. It helps in presenting ideas persuasively and negotiating effectively, ultimately contributing to success. After that conversation, I felt that while I may excel in my role, experiencing imposter syndrome hinders my ability to instill confidence in both my team and stakeholders. Therefore, acknowledging and embracing the identity of a product manager is the first step towards the journey of becoming a successful product manager! Forward thinking leaders always have something different to bring to the table, challenging our thinking and pushing us to grow! I am grateful to you Chris Kiklas and Heather Stevenson for your invaluable insights and time! Continue to be at the forefront of positive transformation! Keep being a source of inspiration! #ProductManagement #Leadership #GrowthMindset

🔍 Leveraging Your Experience: Transferable Skills Identify and apply skills from your previous roles. Leadership, communication, and problem-solving are universally valuable in any Product Manager or Product Owner role. Harness these skills to drive your team’s success and create impactful products. 💡 #ProductManagement #Leadership #TransferableSkills #CareerGrowth #ProductOwner

Leading up is an art. Many product managers feel unheard in the hierarchy. The result? Frustration and invisibility. Effective Product Managers excel in: - Strategic influence - Articulate storytelling - Clear vision sharing By mastering these, they gain: - Respect from executives - Enhanced team alignment - Recognition for their efforts Struggling with upward management? Focus on influence. Build your narrative. Communicate your vision. Ask how you can help your boss. Use that goodwill and ask your boss to help you advance your career. Want to be recognized for your contributions? Arrange a conversation via my bio. 📌 I guide product managers towards amplifying their influence and transitioning into product leaders. Hit the 🔔 for regular PM advice. #30daystats #productmanagement

🚀 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐌 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 📘 I’m uncovering vital leadership skills that every APMs & PMs should master. Here’s a carousel of the top 4 leadership skills that can boost your PM career: 🔹 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Conveying ideas and ensuring everyone is on the same page. 🔹 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Working seamlessly with cross-functional teams. 🔹 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬: Navigating challenges with a positive, growth-oriented mindset. 🔹 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Guiding and empowering your team members to reach their full potential. 📖 What are your thoughts on these skills? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👉 Follow for more insights and save this post for later! If you found it helpful, give it a like! 👍 #ProductManagement #ProductManager #AspiringProductManager #CareerGrowth #PMSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment

I recently came across an interesting perspective on evaluating product managers. According to the author, it's not about what they know or what they do, but rather a set of attributes that make up the "Product Mindset." These attributes include accountability, discipline, empathy, communication/storytelling, critical thinking, conflict resolution, flexibility and adaptability, influence, customer centricity, and curiosity. I couldn't agree more - these are all crucial qualities for a great product manager. The way I assess that is a scorecard to understand these attributes, both through self-assessment and their own evaluation. It's a great way to bridge the gap and identify areas for improvement. What do you think - do you evaluate your product managers based on their knowledge and actions, or on their mindset and attributes? Let's discuss in the comments. #productmanagement #leadership #productmindset