Why Product Management steals Design’s thunder :(

Despite design being a much older discipline, we usually find product management getting the spotlight in terms of resources and impact (Notwithstanding Brian Chesky’s thoughts on PMs and his reorganisation of AirBnb that went viral put some heat on PMs)

(As I have often said publicly) This has been big pet peeve of mine and having worked on both sides—leading both product and design teams in the past, as well as focusing just on design currently —I’ve got some theories of my own on why this happens :)

1. Founders’ Backgrounds Matter:

Apart from some exceptions like Apple, Airbnb, Pinterest, and Stripe, where founders were designers or had a strong design influence, most non-tech founders come from a product or business background. They naturally get product management better because it’s closer to their own experience and expertise.

2. Communication Skills:

PMs, armed with MBA degrees and broader exposure, tend to be more polished in their communication and skilled in delivering compelling narratives. Designers, on the other hand, can be more reclusive or less savvy in presenting their ideas, which means PMs often get more noticed and valued around the company

3. Clearer Metrics for PMs:

Even if product managers aren’t always driving massive strategic wins (This will be a rant post all by itself) , they’ve still got clear OKRs around "shipping features”. This makes it easier to see and measure their impact, unlike design, which often struggles to put numbers on its value. 

It’s unfortunate that designers on founding teams are as rare as hen’s teeth, and it’s even rarer to see a strong design leader who can weave a culture of craft, care, and delight into the company’s DNA on Day 1. Without that foundational presence, design often takes a backseat, playing a supporting role and making it really challenging for folks who come in late to build advocacy for the value of design by showing tangible results.