Remember: As a PM, you are not…
Product management can be a cruel and often unfair role.
As I navigate this industry’s treacherous waters, I find reminding myself of these few truths helps keep me sane.
They might help you, too.
As a PM, you are not the CEO of the product.
Ahhh, 'The PM is the CEO of the product', a trope as old as time. Or at least ever since there were PMs, I guess.
Gentle reminder: you are not, in fact, the CEO of the product. Do you know who is the CEO of the product? I'll give you one guess.
That's right, the CEO! surprised_Pikachu.gif
Although by now everyone in the product industry knows this, it bears repeating; even quietly to yourself.
We like to take our jobs seriously. We often know more than most and feel that's worth something. We feel confident and want to make the big decisions, if only people would listen to us. I'm the CEO of the product god damn it!
Yet, you are not. At best, the PM is the luminary that informs the monarch. Lord Varys to King Joffrey.
You may not be the CEO of anything, but you do have influence.
That's your strength.
As a PM, you are not the leader of your team.
Not only are you not the CEO of the product, you're not even the leader of the team. Talk about kicking you while you're down.
'Product manager' is a deceiving job title. Sounds like you're a manager but you're not. Not really. You manage the product, but not people.
It's worth remembering product is a team effort.
Very rarely is the PM able (or allowed) to make leading decisions alone. You have to work with your team; typically a lead developer and a lead designer.
As frustrating as it is, this is the way. You're not 'above' the developers. You work with them.
As a PM, you are not the project manager.
OK, time for a win.
The product manager is not the project manager, even though we share the same acronym.
Remember this as you see yourself slipping into project manager-y tasks. Admin tasks are not your responsibility:
Moving tickets around isn't your responsibility.
Taking notes on every single meeting isn't your responsibility.
Following up with everyone isn't your responsibility.
Don't fall for this trap. You've got work to do, and it ain't admin work.
But, as a PM, you have to do what it takes
I'll end this short post with a final reminder.
As a product manager, the success of your product is ultimately your responsibility. This means you have to do what it takes. A product manager is grease in the wheels for the sake of his product, as a Redditor once poetically put it.
So, no, you're not the CEO. You're not the leader. You're not the note-taker. You're not the customer service rep. You're not a salesperson and won't earn any commission. You're not a developer. You're not a designer.
But for the sake of the success of your product, you must make assertive decisions. You must empower and inspire your team. You must help customers. You must be a consultative source of information to prospects. You must know more about your product than the average person (even your boss), though if it won't earn you any brownie points (or salary).
We're product managers. It's what we do. We do what it takes.