Why do Product Managers make great CEO's?

In this article we explore the qualities which gives an edge to the PM's to become great CEO's

In order to understand that why Product Manager’s usually become great CEO’s , let us first take a look at what is common between the two positions.

Both positions involve being the keeper of a vision, and both also have to be decision makers by curating ideas from many different sources, but is this the only reason??. Let us explore more…..

SO WHY DO MOST PRODUCT MANAGERS BECOME GREAT CEO‘s ?

There many other similarities in the roles and the qualities of a Product Manager and CEO which aids in making them successful at leadership positions

• The best leaders are the ones who understand and empathize with the problems of their team. That means that they’ve worked closely with different cross functional teams, and have at least a broad understanding of each stage of product development. That goes for both CEOs and Product Managers.

• Both roles involve needing to influence others, though a CEO gets to do so with much more authority.

• In smaller companies and startups, both need to have a clear and firm understanding of the product strategy.

• It is common for PMs to transition to CEOs in this way, because they’ve already been playing the role of leader. As the company grows, it’s natural that the keeper of the product vision, becomes the keeper of the company vision.

With the above thoughts to ponder upon we leave you with few examples of PM’s who with their experience as Product Mangers were able to make a mark of themselves as one of the most successful CEO’s in the world:

• Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet

• Stewart Butterfield, CEO of Slack

• Ivan Zhao, Founder of Notion

• Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube