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Ken Norton

What Ken Norton thinks about product management

@ken-norton · 19 positions · On ppll ↗

Executive coach for product leaders. Previously a partner at GV (Google Ventures) and a product manager at Google. Writes at Bring the Donuts, including a standing essential-reading list for product managers.

Ken Norton did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only Ken Norton on product management. See everyone on product management

5 dated positions, 2016 to 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Ken Norton has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingCompanies should offer dual career tracks so product managers can advance without becoming people managers.

    Their wordsCompanies should embrace multitrack job ladders for product managers who prefer product leadership to people management.

    ↗Best Books for Product Managers [2026]bringthedonuts.com

  2. 7 months earlier

  3. Our readingListening is arguably a product manager's most important skill.

    Their wordsthe word "listen" doesn't appear anywhere in the essay, and listening is arguably a product manager's most important tool.

    ↗A How to Hire a Product Manager Retrospectivebringthedonuts.com 1st of 3 in this piece

  5. Our readingThe most human aspects of product management are the least likely to be automated by AI.

    Their wordsBut the human stuff that actually matters most in PM'ing is the least likely to be automated by AI.

    ↗A How to Hire a Product Manager Retrospectivebringthedonuts.com 2nd of 3 in this piece

  6. 2 months earlier

  7. Our readingA product leader's position at the intersection of every function in the C-suite comes at the cost of belonging to any one group.

    Their wordsProduct's unique identity in the C-suite-at the intersection of everything-often comes at the expense of belonging to anything.

    ↗Product Leadership is Lonelybringthedonuts.com 1st of 2 in this piece

  8. 9 years earlier

  9. Our readingEmpathy is essential to leading a team, especially for product managers, who have responsibility without authority.

    empathy

    Their wordsBut empathy is also essential to leading a team, especially for PMs who tend to have responsibility without authority and must earn the respect and support of others.

    ↗Empathy and Product Managementbringthedonuts.com 2nd of 2 in this piece