Product Roles <> Career Journey
This is a tricky one - as it is not a very well defined trajectory & can have misdirections, a bit underwhelming/slow speeds (circumstantial) experiences in between!
Details here are based on my own experience, observations, interactions, network, reading
Also Disclaimer : My hope for someone to do Product Management is not for money, title but for the true love of creating a difference with the right skills match with the attitude of Critical thinking, Problem solving & Customer Mindset!
This might seem tough for new Engineering or Engg + MBA students, but it can also be the easiest bit since the Business-Tech space has never been this crazy neck speed growing than ever before!
For some - the match might be more organic than most since they already are able to showcase the right skills of Problem solving, analytical, communication, structured approach!
Others might have to take longer route or leap of faith (read risk) to arrive at a beginner Product role in form of APM/PM based on your background! E.g. Alot of cross switch will happen from data/project management, engineering roles in this phase!
2. How to keep going & sustain initial momentum, learn skills?
(Lower- Middle Management Phase)
Once you get an opportunity - make most of it like learning swimming via paddling, drowning for a bit, taking gulps of water to increase your breath, physiology adaption to Swimming!
You will realise your USP as you try different skills, team interactions & which are the areas to improve! As an above avg PM, they are supposed to be excellent in about 30-40% skills including tech, analytics, design thinking, communication & above average in remaining like writing/documentation/coding/ designing, financial, legal skills!
Sorry but true fact - PM is the most judged, thankless, in spotlight Job!
3. How to stay relevant & gain right experience? Build a strong team around
(Middle Management Phase)
This is the other aspect for a PM to build regular habit around is to network, have a learning process for any new skill or upgradation of existing skill & know how to hire + train new members
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This is separate from developing own skills, career as your focus is more outward & to be relevant
4. How to move into Leadership Roles?
This takes time, failures, roller coaster rides, some lull lonely walks to get there!
I believe its important for a leader to have the experience of all these emotions deeply as all such participants will be working for him/her & he/she is responsible for their well being! And it takes atleast a decade of experience!
I believe - the leadership role happens much later than you yourself feel ready for it so the confidence, skills & the ease happens much earlier & the role itself is just a culmination.
5. How to Create impact as Leader, Leave behind a legacy?
In my learning of observing leaders in this space - Trying to say true to yourself, backing your strengths more along with covering own weaknesses works well in this case!
Good leaders are able to differentiate themselves from the forced ones!
So build on what is important to you - Innovation, data deep diving, Experience, outstanding feature, market share, communication, healthy fin books, culture, etc. Sadly very few leaders are getting that space!
Godspeed! Happy Reading :)
Relevant Sources :
Thank you Everyone!