You're an experienced product manager aiming for career growth. Which paths should you explore next?

Here are few possibilities (but not limited to) 1. Executive leadership role: Aim for an executive role overseeing the entire product strategy and team. 2. Cross functional leadership role: roles that involve collaboration with diverse global team to gain a broader perspective. 3. Startup or Entrepreneurship: Consider starting my own venture or joining a startup for new challenges. 4. Consulting and Coaching: Offer expertise to outside world in similar or different industry segment 5. Product operations: With focus on operational efficiency and optimisation

As someone who's transitioned from HR into Product Management, I've seen firsthand how essential it is to leverage diverse skills in leadership. While climbing the corporate ladder, building a strong foundation in cross-functional collaboration and understanding market dynamics has been invaluable. For those eyeing the Executive Track, I'd emphasize honing your ability to align long-term product strategy with business objectives while remaining adaptable to evolving market conditions. This path isn't just about technical proficiency but also developing a holistic view of business operations. Exciting and challenging but truly rewarding!

As an experienced product manager, several paths can lead to career growth. You could move into senior or leadership roles, like Director or VP of Product, where you oversee larger product portfolios and teams. Alternatively, you might explore specialized roles like Product Strategy or Innovation, focusing on long-term vision and market trends. Entrepreneurship or starting your own venture is another option, leveraging your product management skills. Lastly, you could transition into adjacent fields like operations, marketing, or customer success to broaden your expertise.

You can create your own executive track by founding a company. Product is not the only variable in the equation. Marketing, sales, and admin need to perform as well. A lot of very senior PMs on LinkedIn post garbage because they never actually had to sell, or develop a market, or do their accounting. You will understand certain executive decision better when you see other parts of the business. It also has a bigger upside. What’s the most you can make as a CPO? Unless you are in top corporate management, up to 500K to a million? There are many entrepreneurs that earn more than top executives.

Be Specific: Clearly point out which deadlines were missed and explain the impact on the project and team. Stay Calm and Supportive: Use a positive, solution-oriented tone to encourage improvement rather than criticize. Seek Their Perspective: Ask open-ended questions to understand any challenges they may be facing. Collaborate on Solutions: Offer guidance on time management, prioritization, or seeking help when needed, and invite their input on improving the situation. Set Clear Expectations: Reiterate the importance of meeting deadlines and mutually agree on steps to ensure timely delivery moving forward.

Some of the best startup founders are product guys. If you really have a problem in your sights that you believe is worth solving role up your sleeves and dive right in.

Starting a business is an excellent way to sharpen your product management skills through hands-on experience. You’ll refine your ability to identify customer needs, prioritize product features, and manage cross-functional teams while juggling multiple aspects of the business. This process builds a deeper understanding of the complete product lifecycle and enhances leadership abilities, making you more adept at steering both products and companies toward success.

Product managers are oftenly called as the mini CEO of the product they are working on. Hence, moving to entrepreneurial leap is the next step in progressing as a PM. You'll have the freedom to develop your own ideas and the responsibility to make them successful.

A lot of founders are ex-product managers. And a lot of product managers are ex-founders. I think there are more ex-founders ... because creating a successful startup is much harder than launching a successful product. I've done both, and it's much easier to be a product manager. Once you move into the CEO role, your scope expands to include accounting, hiring, funding, and a lot of other things PMs are shielded from. Product management is a great training ground for being a successful founder. But, being a great PM is different than being a great founder, and more future founders should understand the difference and determine whether being a founder is really for them.

Starting your own company lets you put your product management skills to the test on your own terms, turning your ideas into reality. It’s a chance to lead with creativity and have complete control over your vision, but it also comes with the challenge of making every decision count. As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to be adaptable, willing to take risks, and ready to handle everything from product development to marketing and sales. It’s a journey full of ups and downs, requiring resilience and a broad skill set. If the thought of wearing multiple hats and navigating the highs and lows excites you, this path could offer both immense personal and professional growth.

? Consultancy Role: Become a product strategy consultant. Share your wisdom across various industries and companies. Help businesses solve complex product challenges and stay at the forefront of emerging trends. ??

If you're an experienced product manager seeking new growth opportunities, consultancy roles could be a compelling path. Consulting allows you to offer strategic insights to various organizations, leveraging your experience to solve complex problems across industries. It's an excellent way to expand your network, diversify your skill set, and gain exposure to different market challenges. The key is to align your consulting work with your long-term goals, focusing on roles that enhance both your expertise and leadership presence. How have consulting roles shaped your career development?

Becoming a product management consultant allows you to leverage your expertise to advise companies on product strategy, development, and market positioning. You'll gain exposure to diverse industries and challenges, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and broadening your perspective. To succeed, cultivate a strong personal brand and build a robust network, as relationships often lead to new opportunities. Focus on delivering high-impact solutions that demonstrate your value and adaptability. This role offers flexibility and the chance to influence a variety of businesses while sharpening your strategic thinking skills.

Leveraging your product management expertise as a consultant can be a rewarding next step. This role involves advising on product strategy, development processes, and market positioning, offering exposure to various industries and challenges. Build a strong personal brand and network to find opportunities where your experience can make a significant impact.

Balancing a freelance product management consultant role alongside my full-time job as Product Manager played a pivotal role in my career progression to Senior Product Manager. The freelance experience allowed me to dive into various industries and tackle a wide range of challenges, from refining product strategy to optimizing development processes. This hands-on exposure helped me sharpen my problem-solving skills and apply new techniques in my full-time role and new roles. By consulting with diverse teams and building a strong network, I was able to expand my expertise and develop a more well-rounded approach to product management, ultimately preparing me for the responsibilities of a senior role.

Product managers should aim to build a T-shaped skill set. Starting as a generalist helps you grasp the broad spectrum of product management. Over time, developing deep domain expertise in a specific area enables you to make more informed decisions and drive strategic growth.

I’ve seen product managers that specialized and became experts in very niche areas making them a rare and indispensable resource in their organization. Job security was not a concern for them.

To grow as an experienced product manager, focusing on specialization can be an impactful path. Zeroing in on areas like SaaS, AI integration, or Fintech positions you as a sought-after expert, opening opportunities to lead high-impact projects. Specializing not only enhances your knowledge but also sets you apart from generalists, allowing you to bring distinct value. Stay attuned to market trends, invest in learning, and align your specialization with industry needs. Where do you see the most potential for specialization in your own career?

Specializing within product management can significantly set you apart and drive your career forward. Here are some insights to consider: - Identify Your Passion: Focus on an area that genuinely excites you, whether it's UX, data analytics, or a particular industry. - Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies to deepen your expertise. - Hands-On Experience: Seek out projects or roles that allow you to apply your niche skills in real-world scenarios. - Share Knowledge: Write articles or give talks to establish yourself as a thought leader in your chosen field. - Network with Experts: Connect with peers who share your interests to exchange insights and grow. #CareerGrowth #ProductSpecialist

Specializing in a specific area of product management can help you stand out. You can focus on things like user experience, data analytics, or become an expert in industries like fintech or healthcare. This deeper knowledge can lead to senior roles that need this expertise. Keep up with industry trends and keep learning to become a leader in your chosen area, opening up new career opportunities.

Having transitioned from HR to Product Management, I truly see the value in cross-functional moves. Each lateral experience has been a way to not only gain fresh perspectives but also to bridge the gap between different teams. It enhances your ability to translate customer needs into actionable product strategies and helps create alignment across departments. This kind of move fosters empathy and a holistic understanding of business goals, making you more effective as a product leader. I encourage others to look for such opportunities—each step across functions strengthens your ability to make impactful decisions.

A lateral move to a cross-functional role, such as marketing, sales, or operations, can broaden your perspective and enhance your effectiveness as a product leader. By gaining firsthand experience in how other departments impact product success, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of customer needs and business operations. This move can sharpen your strategic thinking and make you more versatile. Seek out opportunities within your organization to leverage your product expertise while learning new skills, ultimately positioning yourself as a more holistic leader who bridges product and business objectives.

? Cross-Functional Move: Transition to a related role like CTO, COO, or Chief Strategy Officer. Broaden your skill set and gain a holistic view of business operations. Leverage your product background to excel in new domains. ??

By stepping into a different role, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how various parts of the business contribute to product success, giving you insights that make you a more well-rounded leader. This shift helps you see the product from different angles, such as how it’s marketed, sold, or operationalized, enhancing your ability to make more informed decisions. Look for opportunities within your company where you can apply your product management experience while learning new skills. This approach not only diversifies your expertise but also strengthens your ability to drive product success from a broader, more strategic standpoint.

You can move into venture capital. VCs are more and more looking for operators to become investors because they understand the market and the challenges that startups face in hitting PMF, scale, and growth. So after being a PM operator for a while, you could switch to the investing side and become a VC.

Pursue advanced education, certifications, or teaching opportunities. This could involve obtaining an MBA, contributing to industry research, or mentoring the next generation of product managers, thereby expanding your knowledge and influence in the field.

O esfor?o educacional, parar para ler, estudar e se aprofundar no entendimento teórico é muito positivo, mas há a necessidade de criar pontes e fomentar situa??es para aplicar os conhecimentos adquiridos no dia-a-dia, n?o deixando a teoria ser apenas uma revis?o de conceitos. Mas sim uma ferramenta de amplia??o da discuss?o de temas sensíveis e um método de apoio para os desafios da fun??o. Alem de servir como inspira??o aos liderados e incentivar os times na busca por atualiza??o das tendências de mercado que est?o sendo praticadas na área

Pursuing further education, such as an MBA or specialized certifications, can broaden your expertise and open doors to senior roles. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of business strategy, leadership, or technical skills like data analytics. To maximize the impact, identify the knowledge gaps most relevant to your career goals and target educational programs that address them. Lifelong learning not only enhances your skill set but also signals your commitment to growth, making you more competitive in the evolving landscape of product management.

Furthering your education can be an important step in advancing your career as a product manager. Here’s some advice from my journey: - Identify Learning Goals: Pinpoint specific areas where you want to deepen your knowledge, whether it's leadership, technology, or business acumen. - Explore Formats: Consider various educational options like online courses, workshops, or formal degrees, depending on your schedule and goals. - Apply What You Learn: Integrate new skills into your daily work to make immediate impact and reinforce learning. - Stay Current: Focus on courses that cover emerging trends and future needs in your industry. - Leverage Alumni Networks: Connect with peers and instructors for mentorship and opportunities.

? Educational Endeavor: Pursue advanced degrees or certifications in product management or business. Teach at universities or create online courses. Share your knowledge and mentor the next generation of product leaders. ??