The 5 people you need on your product development team

Diversity has become one of the most frequently discussed topics in recruitment and something that we want to consistently improve upon. When we typically think of diversity, we think of nationality, race, age, and gender - but there is another type of diversity that is also important for recruiting: diverse thinking.

Everyone has their own way of thinking to find solutions to different problems - and these individual experiences shape how the entire team solves problems. When it comes to developing a product, diverse thinking helps companies reach a wider customer base by incorporating different viewpoints. After all, you can't sell to people whose perspectives you don't understand.

For product development, there are various thought processes that make up a successful team. A study that compared teams of only "high performers" with teams of randomly selected employees found that teams with different, mixed levels of performance delivered better results.

The SME:

The subject matter expert is usually the industry expert who has worked for your company or possibly even a competitor for several years. These people are on the pulse of what's happening in your industry, they know the ins and outs and have a keen understanding of your customers. While their extensive experience in this area is incredibly valuable, especially in advisory or functional roles, it can sometimes lead to tunnel vision. However, if they work with someone on the team who helps them see beyond what is right in front of them, they can be an incredibly powerful asset.

The self-learning novice:

They bring a different kind of understanding to problem-solving. Whether they've learned it themselves or gone through a rigorous bootcamp - these people have a more hands-on approach that remains untouched by the mindset of "we've always done it this way." There is not just one way to solve a certain problem and an alternative educational background can show different, sometimes unconventional, skills for problem-solving. However, you also don't want your entire team to be made up of newcomers. The lack of experience can cause the team to move in the wrong direction.

The global thinker:

The creative perspective of a global thinker can expand the thinking of a team. They may have grown up or lived in another country, giving them a different perspective on how products are used and seen around the world. These smart and visionary people are often well-educated, have great problem-solving skills, and lead their teams to also consider other viewpoints. Because of their international experience, they usually have a strong ability to recognize the perspective of different backgrounds and are naturally attuned to cultural differences between groups of people that would otherwise be invisible. No matter where they come from - their understanding of how the world works allows them to create a product that is globally well-received.

The empathetic one:

This team member spends their time listening to the ideas and thoughts of others. They could be parents or someone who has previously worked in customer service or customer success - but regardless of their background, it is in their nature to prioritize the needs of others. They are an essential part of your product team puzzle, as they silently consider the input of the team and the needs of the customer, and notice subtle unspoken things. When they speak up, they offer a well-thought-out solution that prioritizes the customer. They may be quiet, but they make sure your product delivers what the customer wants from your company.

The task-master:

Every team needs a taskmaster - someone who wants to see tasks completed and is willing to go above and beyond to make sure they are. They focus the team on specific goals and are less concerned with why a product is being worked on than with getting the task done. Taskmasters are always moving, bringing experience to the production process and learning as they go. After all, we all know that part of creating great products is trying things out and seeing what works (and whether it does). Having this person on your team will ensure that a particular project gets done.

Diversity is not only about visible attributes. It is about your background and the way you think about a problem. You don't need teams of highly qualified engineers to develop a successful product. You need different ways of thinking to drive innovation and creative problem solving. Product teams often face complex problems for the first time and it takes different approaches to find the best solution.