Navigating the shift from PM to leader
- Sukanya Bharati
- August 21, 2024
- Blog
- #productmanagement, #productmanager, #productstrategy
- 0 Comments
“What got you here, won’t get you there”
I was fortunate enough to experience this in a good way, twice
First when I went from engineer to engineering manager
Second when I went from #productmanager to PM leader
If the first one was hard, second one was one of the toughest
Off course, getting promoted in #productmanagement has its perks
– Expanded impact
You can influence the team’s work and shape the product direction.
-Leadership development
You’ll mentor, coach, and grow your team members (and yourself!).
-Skill set growth
You’ll gain experience in team management, strategy, and collaboration.
-Influencing product strategy
You’ll have a say in important product decisions.
-Building high-performing teams
Hire rockstars, foster a killer team culture, and see them shine.
-Visibility and influence
you will have a bigger voice in the organization.
Great upside, indeed.
Now come the challenges…
- Letting go of doing the work yourself
You’re used to rolling up your sleeves and getting things done. Now, you have to resist the urge to dive into the nitty-gritty and focus on guiding your team. It can be tough to trust others to handle tasks you used to tackle like a champ.
- Shifting from “doing” to “managing”
Gone are the days of being a lone wolf, churning out awesome work. Now, you’re responsible for leading a pack of talented individuals. It’s a whole new ballgame where your success depends on how well you motivate, inspire, and support your team.
- Balancing strategic and tactical work
You’ve got one foot in the strategic world, making big-picture decisions and mapping out the product roadmap. At the same time, you’re knee-deep in the tactical trenches, dealing with day-to-day issues and keeping the gears turning. Finding the right balance between the two can make you feel like you’re juggling chainsaws.
- Navigating relationships with former peers
Remember those pals you used to grab beers with after work? Well, now you’re their boss. It can be a bit awkward to shift from camaraderie to authority. Building trust and setting clear boundaries will help you navigate these new dynamics without losing friends.
- Building new skills
As a product management manager, you’re not just responsible for your own work; you’re also accountable for your team’s success. That means developing new skills like coaching, delegating, and resolving conflicts. It’s like learning to ride a bike all over again, but with a few extra wheels.
- Communicating effectively
Communication is key. You’ll need to master the art of getting your message across clearly, whether it’s to your team, stakeholders, or higher-ups. Nailing those updates, presentations, and tough conversations will be crucial for keeping everyone in sync.
