September 20, 2025
At Google, 74% of product managers come from technical backgrounds.
This pattern holds true across many Indian startups too.
But here’s the shift: the belief that only engineers make great product managers is slowly fading.
For context—I’m an engineer myself.
In the early days of my career, people like me were preferred for PM roles because of our structured thinking and documentation skills.
But times have changed.
With AI taking over much of the heavy lifting, traditional PM traits are no longer the most valuable.
The game has changed—structure is no longer king; innovation is.
Just look at hiring patterns at IITs and IIMs. Companies are turning away from consultants and looking for bold thinkers.
They’re seeking people with creativity, entrepreneurial energy, and a drive to deliver real impact.
Today, product management is all about innovation.
And the question every company is asking is:
“How will you solve our real-world problems while driving business outcomes?”
September 20, 2025