False narrative of a PM career path
You've been told wrong!
Product managers are told that the way to build your career is to go from an IC track of associate manager to senior to principal to the manager track and become lead, GPM, Director, VP… (yes, I’m using these titles as a proxy to mean manager track - you could technically be an IC with these titles).
I was told the same early on and I followed it for a bit till I didn’t. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some amazing people who changed my thinking.
The core question to ask oneself is - “Why did I become a product manager?” Hopefully the answer is “to build f* amazing products by solving hard customer and business problems.” That is at the core of this.
So then why the singular push to get to the manager track and then go up that ladder? Btw don’t get me wrong - there is nothing wrong with being a manager, director, a VP - heck I am one! But my argument here is that the path to a great product career isn’t a straight line ladder up the management track.
My argument here is that the path to a great product career is actually a bounce between IC and manager tracks. We’re not in professional sports where once you leave the IC path it’s almost impossible to return. In product there will be times when it makes sense for you to take on a manager type role and then there will be those unique moments where you taking on that IC role will change the trajectory of your career - because your learnings will be non-linear. You should not hesitate to take on that IC role.
I’ve done this at multiple times in my career where I decided (or was asked) to leave a manager role and be an IC. I didn’t know where it would lead but in hindsight each of those have been amazing learning moments for me and those have only helped propel my career (at least I think so).
So don’t get sucked into the false narrative. Take unique pathways led by your gut sense.
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