Product Leadership Vs Product Management

In this post, let us consider product leadership vs product management. Read on to learn more.

What Is Product Leadership?

Product leadership is the act of leading a team to successfully create products. 

It involves building a product management team, identifying the right product strategy, and working closely with project teams to deliver high-quality products.

It also involves setting the strategic direction for product management, organizing cross-functional teams, and driving results.

Leadership skills are different from management skills. Leadership skills are focused on motivating people to achieve organizational goals using their knowledge and expertise. 

Management skills are focused on achieving organizational goals through organizing, coordinating, and directing people and resources.

Product leadership is a dynamic role that requires a balance between strategy and execution. Why?

The product leader has a responsibility to ensure that all project teams have a clear understanding of the product strategy and vision. 

This means that the product leader must have a good understanding of the overall business plan, market trends, and competitive positioning. 

So, they can clearly communicate with project teams about the strategic direction of the products being built. 

What Is Product Management?

Product management is the act of managing a product that has been built. It is based on the product management process which includes the following steps: 

Product management focuses on managing product development, including allocating resources, setting requirements, and driving results. 

It also includes creating roadmap plans, creating business cases to support product decisions, and communicating with stakeholders. 

Similar to leadership skills, product management skills are different from management skills. 

Product management skills are focused on making complex decisions related to complex systems (both technical and human). 

Management skills are focused on achieving organizational goals through organizing, coordinating, and directing people and resources. 

Similar to leadership skills, product management skills require a balance between strategy and execution. Why?

The product manager has accountability for delivering high-quality products that meet the needs of the user/customer. 

So, they must have a good understanding of market conditions and customer needs to ensure that projects are aligned with current market trends. 

They also must have a good understanding of business drivers. So, they can communicate with project teams about how projects should meet strategic business objectives. 

What Is the Difference Between Product Leadership and Product Management?

Also, product management and product leadership are two different roles. Product management is the act of managing a product that has been built. 

Product leadership is the act of leading a team to successfully create products. 

While both roles require leadership skills, the skills required to be successful in each role are different. 

Product management skills are focused on making complex decisions related to complex systems (both technical and human). 

Product leadership skills are focused on motivating people to achieve organizational goals using their knowledge and expertise. 

While both roles require management skills, the skills required to be successful in each role are different. 

Product management skills are focused on achieving organizational goals through organizing, coordinating, and directing people and resources. 

Product leadership skills are focused on setting the strategic direction for product management, organizing cross-functional teams, and driving results. 

Conclusion

Product management vs product leadership are not the same things. Even though they are closely related, product management focuses on managing a product that has been built.