Ok, so if a product manager should not be like Super Grover 2.0, what character from Sesame Street should he/she be like?

Let’s consider the alternatives.

• There’s cookie monster, who is really oblivious to the world beyond feeding his own belly.
• There’s Abby, who doesn’t seem to be very good at using her technical skills.
• There’s Oscar, who is not very good with customers.
• There’s Big Bird, who lives in his own little world most of the time.

Which brings me to the character who probably would be the best product manager: Elmo. Here are some reasons I came up with why Elmo would be a better product manager than Super Grover 2.0.

• He doesn’t just observe, the really engages with people – empathizes, doesn’t have a conclusion he is trying to reach
• He doesn’t just question, he breaks things down and finds underlying causes.
• He doesn’t just investigate, he let’s people do what they do – helps them succeed.
• He imagines and puts himself in the customer’s place.
• He succeeds with everyone, it’s not about him.
• He is never afraid to get his hands dirty and try things himself.
• In the end, its always about a great experience for the audience.

What character do you think would be the best product manager?