This document discusses the challenges of being a product manager through emojis and sections of text. Some of the key challenges mentioned are that a product manager's work is intangible, they are constantly dealing with uncertainty, and are expected to know less than their colleagues. It also discusses difficulties with stakeholders, noting that the relationship is not reciprocal, stakeholders think they know best and have selective memories. The document provides advice for navigating these challenges, such as confronting issues with stakeholders head on, making use of external sources, and listening to your gut. It emphasizes the importance of self-care activities like observing other product managers and nurturing friendships.

1. 1
Slides posted online
afterwards (I promise)
@_shaunrussell

2. Education of a product manager

3. 😞 😖 😫 😱 😭
Life as a product manager
(told by emojis)

4. The things nobody
told me about being a
Product Manager

5. Existentialism for
Product Managers
Your work is intangible.
😞

6. Your work is intangible.
You are forever tackling uncertainty.
😞
Existentialism for
Product Managers

7. Your work is intangible.
You are forever tackling uncertainty.
You’re supposed to know less
than your colleagues.
😞
Existentialism for
Product Managers

8. Your work is intangible.
You are forever tackling uncertainty.
You’re supposed to know less
than your colleagues.
There is no finish line.
😞
Existentialism for
Product Managers

9. 9
Go watch other
PMs in action.

10. 10

11. Nurture friendships
11

12. 12

13. Find your own meaning.
13

14. The greatest damn
Product Manager
in the world.

15. 15
Nope.

16. What is your superpower?
What is your dream product?
How would you like your
colleagues to think of you?
1.
2.
3.

17. 17

18. The trouble with
stakeholders
Your relationship is not reciprocal.
😱

19. The trouble with
stakeholders
Your relationship is not reciprocal.
They will think they know best.
😱

20. The trouble with
stakeholders
Your relationship is not reciprocal.
They will think they know best.
They have long and selective
memories.
😱

21. The trouble with
stakeholders
Your relationship is not reciprocal.
They will think they know best.
They have long and selective
memories.
You get all the responsibility,
but none of the power.
😱

22. Confront issues head on.
22

24. Make use of
external sources.
24

25. “Rarely say yes”
25

26. 26
Source: https://blog.intercom.io/rarely-say-yes-to-feature-requests/
Will it still matter in 5 years?
Will it improve, complement or innovate on the existing workflow?
Will it generate new meaningful engagement?
Can we design it so that reward is greater than effort?
Can we scope it well?

27. Listen to your gut
27

28. 28

29. 29

30. Takeaways
30
Stakeholder Management
Confront issues head on.
Make use of external sources.
Listen to your gut.
Looking after yourself
Go watch other PMs in action.
Nurture friendships.
Find your own meaning.
😞
😖
😫
😱
😭
😊
😎
😝
👻
😂@_shaunrussell

31. Thank you!