What makes great product leaders tick?

Last week in conversation with an old classmate, I was challenged to think about what kind of work energizes me. This question has been on my mind a lot as I pivot away from a decade in one company and industry.

So it didn't take long for me to identify three items. As a product guy at heart, I'd venture to say that these core passions (obsessions?) are core to most if not all great product leaders:

🔨 The thrill of creating and shipping.
This is fundamental. Product people want to make things that others can use, find useful, and (hopefully) love. Nothing beats the satisfaction of being part of creating something that didn't exist before or improving something that did. We are addicted to it.

🕵️ The hunt for game-changing insights.
Like a treasure hunter, great product leaders are obsessed with parsing and sifting through data and feedback to find that golden insight that can level-up the product experience and grow the business.

🤖 Tech curiosity.
The marriage between Product and Technology is critical. While the level of technical acumen and hands-on experience required varies by company and role, a passion for and curiosity about technology is essential.