Career Advancement through Executive Education: A Comprehensive Reflection on Product Leadership

A few years back, I was curious about the next steps for my career progression. As a hardcore techie developing mobile applications for various products in retail, e-commerce, AR/VR, and IoT, I enjoy building end products that users love and help our business generate revenue. However, over time, I started thinking about how I could leverage my deep technological understanding to work directly with end users and be directly responsible for product revenue growth. This led me to explore options and ultimately join an executive education e-MBA in product leadership.

Let me provide some context from a few years ago. In the software product business, I initially believed that building a product was the primary focus. While this is partially true, there are other crucial elements in the equation, such as understanding market potential, market growth, and revenue opportunities. Moreover, you need to comprehend marketing, finances, operations, and how to interact with various business stakeholders. Instead of learning through prolonged job experimentation, I chose to learn systematically in a formal, compact manner. Today, I can confidently say that my Executive MBA was worth the investment.

Here are a few key insights that have been permanently embedded in my mind:

Structured Thinking: If I had to describe my MBA experience in a few words, it would be "structured thinking." This involves methodical approaches to achieve predictable outcomes and reduce problem risks. Structured thinking applies to storytelling, negotiation, problem-solving, value delivery, and effective communication. These fundamentals might seem basic, but without awareness of them, success can be challenging.

Working with People: The program included numerous group assignments. I worked with approximately 12 different groups across various subjects, collaborating with diverse professionals from different backgrounds and with unique thought processes and personality traits. Beyond completing assignments, I learned how to interact with people, articulate my ideas, convince others to include my perspectives in presentations, and understand individual interests. These intense group exercises provided deep insights into human psychology and team dynamics, ultimately making me more mature in group settings.

Habit Formation: The Executive MBA was intense. Balancing five workdays, consecutive weekend classes lasting over six hours, and then returning to work was demanding. What we developed was the ability to focus our minds continuously for 21 days without distractions—no weekend shopping, outings, or other activities. Throughout the 1.5 years of the MBA, we proved our ability to maintain focus in a distraction-filled world.

Regarding innovation, I learned that a solution is not the only significant part of the equation. Equally important is solving a problem that can generate consistent revenue. The exposure to problem identification, a critical first step in innovation, became strongly embedded in my thought process.

I initially thought marketing was simply about running social media or blog campaigns. While that's part of it, we also learned the foundational marketing principles from which execution strategies are derived. In my opinion, these skills are valuable not just in business but also in personal life, helping you communicate effectively in various social contexts.

Data-driven decision-making is another critical business skill. We learned how to use data analytics to derive insights in non-intuitive ways. Additionally, we discovered how to transform complex numerical data into simple, compelling visualizations. Thousands of rows and complex correlations can be effectively communicated through straightforward charts.

Storytelling: I previously believed storytelling was only for creative professionals. However, I now understand it's a skill everyone should develop. We don't just use storytelling in business presentations but in daily communication to share thoughts effectively. Through numerous case study presentations, we practiced and internalized storytelling structures. The goal is to mindfully apply these skills in every communication, especially crucial in sales and marketing.

Presentation Skills: Presentations are more than creating slide decks. We learned subtle frameworks that help you stand out. This includes understanding your audience, targeting the right people, managing body language, structuring slide decks, and considering typography. Your presentation reflects your personal brand—it's a skill in itself.

What's next? Observing and leveraging these skills to make an impact. I hope you can do the same!