Stop Playing the Product Game
Take Back Control
If you don’t like being played, Product Management might not be for you.
Because let’s be honest - being a Product Manager without real ownership is a guaranteed way to feel like a fool.
You're handed responsibility but not authority. You're expected to “own” the product while following orders. You’re told to act like a CEO, but your actual job is to execute someone else’s vision with limited control.
This is where the frustration starts.
When Does a Product Manager Become a Fool?
It happens the moment you start cheering for decisions you know are wrong.
When you fight to build something valuable, only to be overruled by someone with more political sway.
When you’re forced to launch half-baked ideas while your best work sits unfinished.
When you’re blamed for outcomes you had no real power to change.
And the worst part? You have to put on a smile and act like everything is going according to plan.
How to Stop Being a Product Puppet
If you don’t want to be reduced to a task manager with a fancy title, here’s what you can do:
1) Stop Accepting Fake Ownership
If you're responsible for success, demand the power to make real decisions. Otherwise, be clear that you’re executing someone else’s strategy - not pretending it's your own.
2) Call Out Bad Ideas - With Data
A strong opinion is good, but a strong argument backed by numbers is better. The louder the politics, the harder you need to push for objective reasoning.
3) Build Influence Before You Need It
If you only push back when something is already on fire, you’ll lose. Gain credibility early by proving small wins, supporting others, and showing deep product knowledge.
4) Make It Painful to Ignore You
If leadership treats you as a delivery manager, force them to recognize the cost. Highlight the risks of bad decisions and let them know what’s at stake.
The Bottom Line
You can’t always control the environment, but you can control how you operate within it.
A Product Manager isn’t a CEO. But you also don’t have to be a fool.
Do you have any ideas you would like to share? Get in touch on LinkedIn 👇
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