5 Things Outstanding PMs Don’t Do

Being a product manager is hard when everyone wants you to be a backlog manager. Let’s change that.

I’ve been a misfit for most of my career.

When I started as a software developer, I wanted to create valuable solutions. The only thing I didn’t want was to create something nobody used, so I asked many questions, which earned me the nickname Mr. Why. Someone once told me, “It’s your job to code, not to question the requirements.” I hated that answer.

Later in life, I got the chance to become a product manager. My initial objective was to provide software developers with the why behind the what and to come up with the how together. Yet, my quest for answers wasn’t easy. I tried to keep the team focused and kept saying no to distractions to the point I got a new nickname, Business Blocker.

Guess what happened when I grew into head of product? Another nickname, Product Firewall. Every time, I did my best to ensure product teams had clear goals to pursue instead of prescriptive roadmaps. Not an easy task.

By most standards, I’m a terrible Product Manager. Yet, it’s hard to be a good PM when most companies expect you to be bad.

Let me share five things good PMs don’t do, though companies want them to do so.

Side note: If you want to learn in-depth what product management looks like in reality and how to do what’s necessary to thrive. Check…