In the article “How To Become a Peak Product Manager,” Ravi Mehta introduces the Product Competency Toolkit, which consists of 12 essential skills for product managers. The toolkit is divided into four critical areas: Product Execution, Customer Insight, Product Strategy, and Influencing People. Product Execution focuses on defining, building, and launching well-designed, stable products. Key skills in this area include Feature Specification, Product Delivery, and Quality Assurance.Customer Insight highlights the role of product managers as cultural ambassadors for customers. Competencies in this area include Fluency with Data, Voice of the Customer, and User Experience Design.

Product Strategy emphasizes aligning product development with overall company strategy. Skills in this area include Business Outcome Ownership, Product Vision & Roadmapping, and Strategic Impact. Influencing People focuses on the leadership skills required for effective product management. Competencies in this area include Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, and Managing Up. The Product Competency Toolkit serves as a guide for self-assessment and offers insights for discussions, hiring decisions, promotion considerations, and building balanced teams. Mehta emphasizes that becoming a peak product manager is an ideal worth striving for, both individually and as part of a collaborative team.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of these competencies in navigating the demanding role of Product Management. By developing these skills, product managers can excel in executing product strategies, understanding customer needs, aligning with company goals, and effectively leading teams.