Breaking into product management can be a challenging and intimidating process, especially if you're just starting your career in this field.
However, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a product manager, and books are one of the best ways to do so.
Whether you're an aspiring product manager, a new hire in a product team, or a seasoned PM looking to level up your skills, reading books can provide valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories to help you navigate the complex world of product management.
In this blog post, I've curated a list of the top five books that I believe every product manager should read to enhance their understanding of the industry and build their careers... at least to start.
There’s obviously a vast wealth of knowledge you can explore further as you grow your career, but let's dive in and explore these essential reads to get you started on your product journey!
"Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in product management. Cagan, a seasoned product leader, provides insights into how to build successful products and create a strong product culture within an organization.
"Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology" by Gayle McDowell and Jackie Bavaro
This book is a practical guide to help individuals prepare for product management interviews. It covers everything from the product management process to common interview questions and provides tips for answering them effectively so you can land your dream job in product management.
"The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries
This book is a classic in the startup world and provides a framework for building and launching successful products through continuous innovation and testing.
"Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams" by Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw
This book offers insights from experienced product leaders on how to build successful product teams and create a strong product culture.
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz
This book offers a practical guide to running a five-day design sprint to rapidly test new ideas and prototypes. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to build and launch successful products quickly.
These books are a great starting point for individuals looking to break into product management or further their careers in the field.
But again, there’s so much more great knowledge to dive into our there. This is simply a starting point.
Let me know in the comments what other books you’ve read, have been recommend or suggest for growing top-tier product managers.
This article contains affiliate links from which I earn a small commission from purchases of these book at no added cost to you.
Looking for more help breaking into Product?
Let’s connect to discuss 1:1 coaching options to help you learn more about the craft of product management and how to land your dream role, or build your own product success story from 0-to-1.
Drop me a line: ashley@ashleynader.com