Product management is a fast-paced and versatile field, offering professionals the opportunity to shape products, influence company direction, and solve customer problems. As you advance in your career, you’ll likely face a crucial decision: Should you pursue a leadership role or deepen your expertise in a specialised domain? According to product management expert Kathryn Buckley, both career trajectories offer distinct advantages, and the right path depends largely on personal preferences and long-term goals.
For those who find joy in helping others grow, the leadership path in product management might be a natural fit. Moving into management means stepping away from day-to-day product decisions and focusing more on guiding and developing your team. This transition requires a shift in mindset—from individual accomplishments to team success. As Buckley explains, "If you enjoy seeing your team grow, develop, and succeed through their efforts, the management path is for you."
The key to thriving as a leader lies in a genuine passion for people management. You’ll need to focus on coaching, mentoring, and creating an environment where product managers can perform at their best. In this role, the success of your team becomes your success, and your impact is measured by how effectively you can support their growth. Leadership requires emotional intelligence, strong communication skills, and the ability to make strategic decisions that foster collaboration and innovation.
However, leadership also comes with its challenges. As a product manager-turned-leader, you might miss the hands-on work of directly managing products. The shift from crafting product strategies to managing performance reviews and team dynamics can be daunting for those who find personal fulfilment in the details of product development.
On the other hand, if you’re more passionate about deepening your expertise in a specific area of product management, the path of a domain expert might be for you. As an individual contributor (IC), you can continue to focus on the craft of product management while honing your knowledge in a specialised field.
For instance, a product manager with a strong interest in payments processing might choose to become the company’s go-to expert in that domain. This allows them to have significant influence over the product’s direction, without taking on the responsibilities of managing others. Kathryn Buckley highlights the value of this path, noting that it offers "significant influence without the need for people management responsibilities."
Domain expertise can be incredibly rewarding, especially for those who enjoy mastering complex areas and contributing their knowledge to larger business goals. This path allows you to stay hands-on with products, continuously learning and innovating without the distractions of managing a team. It’s ideal for product managers who are passionate about the craft itself and want to remain directly involved in problem-solving and strategy.
Ultimately, Kathryn Buckley emphasises that choosing between leadership and domain expertise is a personal decision, driven by your strengths, passions, and long-term career goals. “It’s important to ask yourself: Are you more passionate about the craft or about managing people?” she advises. Neither path is better than the other, and both offer opportunities for substantial growth and impact. What’s more, it’s possible to switch between them throughout your career, allowing for flexibility as your interests evolve.
In conclusion, the decision to pursue leadership or domain expertise is a defining moment in a product manager’s career. Whether you thrive on helping others succeed or prefer to focus on mastering a particular area, both paths can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career in product management. Take time to reflect on your personal motivations, and don’t be afraid to embrace change if your passions shift along the way.