Episode 231: Introversion is a PM Superpower
An interview with Grace Yusuff, Product Manager & Early Careers Mentor
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Who is Grace Yusuff?
Grace Yusuff is a London-based "reluctant product manager" and an introvert who never thought she’d succeed in product management. She has since grown to love the role and is also now paying it forward as a mentor for early-career professionals looking to break into tech.
I first bumped into Grace at a Now, Next, Product event in London, where she was talking about introversion being a superpower for product managers. I was impressed by her message and her energy, so I immediately pounced and asked for her to come and share her insights with my audience!
Episode highlights:
1. Introversion is a Superpower for Product Managers
Grace sees introverts’ natural listening skills as a key strength for product managers. She says that product management isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room but about creating space for others to share. It’s about truly listening and solving problems by uncovering what users aren’t explicitly saying.
2. The Power of Asking Questions
While many focus on the need for strong communication, Grace emphasises the value of asking great questions. She likes to connect the dots and challenge assumptions and believes that effective communication is as much about listening as speaking.
3. Structuring Meetings for Inclusion
Grace has developed techniques for balancing diverse personalities in meetings. She uses collaboration tools like Miro and blind sticky note exercises to get reticent people to contribute. She believes that it’s important to ensure quieter participants have a voice while helping the more vocal ones focus their ideas.
4. Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking
Although public speaking isn’t traditionally associated with introverts, Grace has embraced it to share her message. Her journey to becoming a speaker was inspired by her mentees’ struggles and fears about entering product management, which she felt compelled to address.
5. Embrace Your Unique Strengths to be a Great Product Manager
Grace encourages introverts to embrace their uniqueness and what makes them special, instead of forcing themselves to fit extroverted moulds. As far as she’s concerned, there’s no correlation between extroversion and product management - you can find your own way to thrive.
Contact Grace
Find Grace on LinkedIn.