47 Books to Rock the Product World
Updated book list based on what I learned in 2023
Hi everyone,
How are you doing today? I love reading, so I decided to update my recommendation list based on what I learned in 2023.
Do you want to rock as a Product Manager? Get my updated list of 47 books to rock the product world (it’s free).
Growing as a Product Manager is tough. Excessive information will confuse you, but I can give you directions.
I read 27 books in 2023, which required me to adapt my product management recommendations. It's been quite inspiring to get refreshing thoughts.
I was tempted to extend my previous list (57 books), but that wouldn't be nice to you. I trimmed down to 47 books and added some new gems. Removing books is way harder than adding to the list, which resembles backlog management.
After years of hitting the wall, I perceive product management as a set of skills one must develop.
TL;DR: Download the book recommendations for free
I won't lie to you; it's a demanding and stressful job, but if you're up for it, you better learn the following:
1. Product Management
The ingredients to create products customers love. Understand what sound product management is and what it isn't. Learn the job.
2. Leadership
Develop sharp leadership skills. Learn how to lead and how to follow. Be the leader that inspires others to dream.
3. Master communication
Product Managers talk to several completely different audiences, and you must understand how to communicate with each.
4. Innovation
Master what it takes to innovate and know which techniques to apply when. Innovation is not a light bulb but a series of attempts that result in something disruptive.
5. Coaching
Resistance is ahead of you. That's inevitable. You must learn how to help people open up to different perspectives to step into the unknown head-on.
6. Business
To sharpen your business mindset, you must learn how to create business opportunities from customer pains, needs, and desires. You've got to master the mechanics and dynamics of the business world.
7. Value-driven mindset
Day in, and day out, all you want to do is to figure out how to create value sooner. All of your actions should contribute to that.
8. Methods and frameworks
Use frameworks to accelerate your learning process, facilitate interactions, and speed up creating value. Learn when to use what. Understand that frameworks should never dictate how you work but enable you to achieve something easier.
9. Continuous learning
Never ever dare stop learning. Strive to learn from everyone around you.
I put together around fifty books I wish I could have read before. You will find recommendations for each category mentioned above. I hope that helps you grow as a Product Manager.
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Have a beautiful day!
Let’s rock this world!
David
An awesome list! Atomic habits changed my mindset and would highly recommend. A lot of these can apply to life in general and not just product!
About the mindset, I totally agree with the principle, Ray Dalio. Also, I highly recommend two books by my favorite author, Adam Grant.
1. Think Again is an amazing book for me to play the role of product manager and always challenge and reflect on my experience. It helps me avoid bias and assumptions.
2. Hidden Potential (the newest book): I can't believe how I figured myself out and have the foundational skills to grow my career.