Are you a specialist or a generalist product manager?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I’d consider myself a generalist product manager, because I’ve had to operate
across the entire product lifecycle as a founder. For example, when I developed
the Mahiri Lip + Cheek, I designed and ran a 75-person research study — surveys,
testing, interviews — to validate shades and positioning. From there, I oversaw
formulation, packaging, go-to-market, and ongoing customer feedback loops. That
product now makes up about 23% of the business.

At the same time, I do bring a specialist strength in cultural storytelling and
consumer insight. For instance, when we over-ordered tea in a holiday kit, I
repositioned it as a self-care add-on outside of the holiday window, and it
became a repeat purchase driver. That blend of broad end-to-end experience with
a strong specialty in connecting culture, customer, and product is what makes me
effective

Anonymous · Answer

I see myself as a generalist product manager with the ability to deliver across
diverse domains while leveraging specialized knowledge when needed. My work
spans industries such as edtech, health tech, and DevOps, each demanding unique
approaches and strategies.
At KodeKloud, I owned the product vision for KodeKloud Engineer, driving user
acquisition up by 15% and achieving 80% of KPIs. I collaborated with
cross-functional teams, navigating technical and operational challenges to
enhance user engagement by 25%. This required broad expertise in user behavior,
community engagement, and technical execution.
As the CTO and Co-founder of Minbo Health Technologies, I scaled the platform
from zero to over 10,000 users, leading a team of 20. This role demanded a
comprehensive understanding of technology, user experience, and operational
efficiency.
When necessary, I focus deeply on specific challenges. For instance, at
QuestMath, I revamped interfaces and introduced gamification, boosting
engagement by 35% and reducing support tickets by 30%. These efforts required
specialized skills in UX design and data-driven decision-making.
This blend of versatility and depth equips me to lead teams, solve complex
problems, and deliver impactful products.

Anonymous · Answer

I am both a generalist and a specialist.  When assigned a role, for example
leading product for Toys, I was able to develop products that grew the business
3-fold.  My role was then increased to include Video Games and I was able to
create a program that allowed direct access to all of our clients who worked
with PlayStation and X-Box in a single forum to make sure that we were
delivering the right product improvements.   My role was then increased to
include Books, Juvenile Products and Media Entertainment and I was able to apply
my transferrable skills to deeply learn those industries and create value.

Anonymous · Answer

I feel that being a specialist or a generalist depends on the area of work. For
example, when it comes to data crunching and understanding behavioral patterns
through data, I consider myself a specialist. However, in design and tech, I
believe there are people more knowledgeable than me. That’s why I follow a
T-shaped growth trajectory—developing deep expertise in one area so others can
rely on me, while also expanding my skills across other domains.

Are you a specialist or a generalist product manager?

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