Have you ever compared your product management (PM) approach with others?
I know I have. Other PMs always seem more confident, work smarter, and are more strategic. It can be stressful. But, a recent conversation with a good friend – who also worked as a PM and had an entirely different style of navigating the role – made me see things in a new light.
We were reflecting on the online personality test at 16personalities.com we both did many years ago and how spot-on it was (and still is) in describing our unique traits. As we delved into our differences, I realized something interesting. All those earlier years, I’d been partly comparing myself to other “types” of product managers, trying to emulate their styles or wondering why I wasn’t more like them … what about the extraordinary visionary PM, talking eloquently on the TEDx stage?
But that comparison didn’t make any sense. We’re all wired differently, with individual traits and preferences shaping our PM role approach.
This realization led me to an entertaining exercise. Why not map the 16 general personalities from that website to 16 types of product managers? 😎
The 16 Product Manager Personalities
What we can try for fun: Imagine how the 16 personalities might result in different PM types. Such an experiment can reveal potentially different work styles and preferences. If you’ve taken the online test before on their website and know about your “personality type” already, it’s even more fun! But it’s not needed to read on.
So, what type of product manager are you? Let’s take a look.
Analysts
Let’s start with the Analysts and their four types. Their logical and strategic thinking characterizes them. They approach product management with a keen analytical mind, always looking for innovative solutions and efficient ways to achieve goals. However, their strengths can also lead to specific challenges in the PM role. Here are the four types:
INTJ – The Architect PM:
Strategic, logical, and innovative, the Architect PM thrives on creating long-term plans and executing them precisely. They see the big picture and align product goals with business strategy. However, they may become overly focused on planning, losing the flexibility to adapt to changes. Think of a PM who designed a complex software system from scratch.
INTP – The Logician PM:
Analytical, creative, and open-minded, the Logician PM loves to explore new ideas and find unique solutions. They’re the ones who come up with innovative features that set a product apart. But they can get lost in abstract ideas, struggling to translate them into actionable plans. Imagine a PM who developed a groundbreaking algorithm that revolutionized an app.
ENTJ – The Commander PM:
The Commander PM leads with authority and confidence and is bold, strong-willed, and decisive. They’re great at making tough decisions and driving a team towards success. Yet, they may come across as too authoritative, leading to potential conflicts within the team. Consider a PM who took charge of a failing project and turned it around.
ENTP – The Debater PM:
Quick-thinking, original, and excellent communicator, the Debater PM excels in brainstorming sessions and is always ready to challenge the status quo. These PMs bring a fresh perspective but risk alienating team members by constantly playing devil’s advocate. Picture a PM who led a team to rethink the user experience of a popular platform.
Sentinels
Sentinels are the organizers and guardians of the product management world. They are known for their practicality and pragmatism, attention to detail, and ability to create order and efficiency. While their strengths lie in planning and execution, they may struggle with flexibility and adapting to change.
ISTJ – The Logistician PM:
Practical, detail-oriented, and reliable, the Logistician PM is the backbone of any project. They ensure everything runs smoothly and adhere to established processes but may resist change and innovation. Imagine a PM who meticulously planned and executed a complex product rollout, ensuring every detail was in place.
ISFJ – The Defender PM:
The Defender PM is always there for the team, supportive, patient, and dedicated. They excel in creating a positive work environment and nurturing team growth but may avoid confrontation and struggle with assertiveness. Picture a PM who nurtured a positive team culture that led to consistent success, always putting the team’s needs first.
ESTJ – The Executive PM:
Organized, decisive, and great at managing resources, the Executive PM is all about efficiency. They drive projects to completion and excel in setting clear expectations but may be considered rigid and inflexible. Consider a PM who streamlined processes to cut costs without sacrificing quality, leading the team with clear direction and authority.
ESFJ – The Consul PM:
The Consul PM excels in client-facing roles and is warm, social, and great at building relationships. These PMs are great at understanding customer needs and fostering strong connections but may take things too personally and struggle with objectivity. Think of a PM who developed strong client relationships that led to repeat business, always prioritizing the human connection.
Diplomats
Diplomats are known for their empathy, creativity, and ability to inspire others. They bring a human touch to product management, focusing on relationships, values, and emotional connections. However, their sensitivity and desire for harmony may present unique challenges.
INFJ – The Advocate PM:
Compassionate, inspiring, and idealistic, the Advocate PM is driven by values and a desire to make a difference. These PMs excel in building relationships and inspiring teams but may struggle with being overly sensitive to criticism. Imagine a PM who rallied a team to develop a product that serves a humanitarian cause.
INFP – The Mediator PM:
Creative, empathetic, and always seeking harmony, the Mediator PM is the glue that holds the team together. They’re great at understanding people’s needs and fostering a collaborative environment but may struggle with indecision and assertiveness. Picture a PM who crafted a user experience that resonates emotionally with users.
ENFJ – The Protagonist PM:
A charismatic, inspiring, and natural leader, the Protagonist PM knows how to motivate a team. They’re driven by a vision and excel in aligning the team with a common goal but may become too focused on others’ approval. Consider a PM who led a team to a record-breaking product launch, inspiring them with a clear and compelling vision.
ENFP – The Campaigner PM:
The Campaigner PM is a creative powerhouse, energetic, enthusiastic, and full of ideas. They’re great at starting new initiatives and infusing energy into projects but may struggle to follow through and maintain focus. Think of a PM who constantly develops innovative marketing strategies, sparking excitement and creativity within the team.
Explorers
Explorers are the adventurers and innovators of product management. They thrive on action, spontaneity, and hands-on problem-solving. Their ability to adapt and take risks brings a dynamic energy to the team. However, their impulsiveness and focus on the present moment may lead to challenges in long-term planning.
ISTP – The Virtuoso PM:
Hands-on, practical, and solution-oriented, the Virtuoso PM loves to tackle problems head-on. They’re great at troubleshooting and finding practical solutions but may struggle with long-term planning and strategic thinking. Imagine a PM who engineered a solution to a long-standing technical challenge, always ready to dive into the details.
ISFP – The Adventurer PM:
Creative, spontaneous, and flexible, the Adventurer PM brings a fresh perspective. They excel in fast-paced environments and thrive on change but may struggle with routine and consistency. Picture a PM who thrived in a startup, constantly adapting to change and bringing a creative flair to every project.
ESTP – The Entrepreneur PM:
Energetic, perceptive, and action-oriented, the Entrepreneur PM loves to take risks. They’re great at seizing opportunities and driving rapid growth but may act impulsively and overlook potential risks. Consider a PM who led a bold market entry that paid off big, always ready to seize the moment and take calculated risks.
ESFP – The Entertainer PM:
Fun-loving, social, and great at energizing a team, the Entertainer PM knows how to make work enjoyable. They’re great at team building and fostering a positive atmosphere but may struggle with focusing on details and maintaining discipline. Think of a PM who turned a demotivated team into a high-performing unit, infusing fun and energy into every project.
PM != PM
So, where to take it from here? First, don’t take the above mapping too seriously. As I said before, I’ve compiled it just for fun, to explore how and why PM styles might differ from others.
However, exploring personality types and their alignment with the product manager role isn’t only a fancy exercise. It has profound implications – for you as a product manager and the broader team dynamics. Recognizing that different personalities execute the PM role in distinct ways can be critical in understanding your unique strengths and how you fit within a team.
Imagine the variety of goals you might have for a product: innovation, market expansion, customer satisfaction, efficiency, or something else entirely. Each goal might require a different approach, a unique blend of traits and skills that align with the desired outcome. This is where understanding personality types becomes essential for you.
Do you see yourself as a visionary thinker, a detail-oriented planner, a relationship builder, or a risk-taking innovator? Your personality can significantly affect how you execute the PM role. And this has to fit into the company’s needs with its team setup and product stage.
I fall into the Defender category, which perfectly matches my work style. Defenders prioritize a positive team culture, and that’s completely me. I am 100% convinced that this is critical for a company’s long-term success. It’s one of my strongest drivers to create a healthy environment for everyone involved. On the other hand, I am pragmatic, filling the gaps as a generalist and tinkering with practical structures for effective async work. It explains pretty well why I created my own hands-on, minimalist task system. Oh yeah, and even though I consider myself a big-picture type of person, I love to dig deep into UI/UX details (you can even find me in Figma, adding a little more space to … anyway).
While I’m not so much into HR or psychology (🙈), this analysis has at least helped me better understand where I can create the most value in the teams I work with. It sheds light on my strengths and distills that I’m obviously a particular type of product manager.
Wrap Up
The 16 personalities are only a theoretical (yet impressive) model, a lens through which we can attempt to view ourselves and others. While it’s fun to think about such stuff and map it to PM, it’s not a definitive guide to who we are or how we should approach our careers. Remember not to limit yourself to something only because it sounds logical and intuitive. 😉
Nevertheless, I really like this thought experiment.
Diving into these fields of personality can be incredibly valuable. It helps me relax and avoid constantly comparing myself with others. Recognizing that we all have different characteristics and preferences allows me to focus on my individual strengths and understand my potential struggles.
Finally, I chose the PM role for this article because I work as a PM. It’s a perspective that makes sense to me and can be projected into my “world.” But the beauty of this exercise is that it can be applied to any other role – marketing, design, engineers, CEOs, etc. This results in tons of permutations when it comes to describing team dynamics … have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to implement formal processes?
Anyway. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article as much as I had fun creating it. 🙃
