Most product managers love building stuff. I’ll ask a candidate what they did over the weekend, and they’ll answer, “I hosted a dinner party for twelve,” or “I used my short-wave radio to talk to someone in Vietnam.” These are good examples of creative pursuits from people who love to build stuff.

There’s a natural progression in a product leader’s career, starting with “build something” and culminating with “build an industry.” Below, I outline the steps, along with the skills needed at each stage:

• Build something: Basic design and management
• Build a hit: Marketing and consumer insight
• Build an org: Leadership, strategy, developing teams, and culture
• Build a company: Cross-functional leadership, company strategy
• Build an industry: Long-term strategy and partnerships