What do they never tell you about becoming a product leader?

In this episode, we talk about the parts of moving from PM to Director that catch most people off guard. The quiet loss of being the hero. The awkward shift from working alongside peers to managing them. The moment when shipping features stops being the job and making decisions, saying no, and setting direction becomes the work.

We share real stories about what surprised us, what we got wrong early on, and what actually helped once the role changed. We also break down the difference between Principal and Director paths, what “executive presence” looks like in plain terms, and how to start preparing for leadership while you are still a PM.

If you are thinking about stepping into product leadership and want to know the parts no one puts in the job description, pull up a chair on the porch, listen closely, and learn before you leap.

Introduction and Podcast Overview
[00:00] episode framing - why PM vs Director thinking matters right now
[00:24] leadership context - setting expectations for role and identity shift

Defining Product Management Roles
[01:20] CEO myth - why PMs do not actually have authority
[02:11] decision limits - where PM influence really starts and stops

Product Manager and Director Role Differences
[03:23] altitude analogy - low vs high altitude product thinking
[03:46] horizon shift - short-term execution vs long-term strategy
[05:21] restaurant metaphor - waiter vs operator responsibilities

Transitioning from Product Manager to Director
[08:06] letting go - reduced customer closeness and hero work
[09:26] hero syndrome - why doing too much hurts directors
[10:23] recognition drop - fewer high fives, more responsibility

Leadership Challenges and Lessons Learned
[13:03] managing peers - boundaries change when friends become directs
[14:35] portfolio reality - deciding what does not get funded
[16:30] one-on-ones shift - talking systems, not just features

Director vs Principal Product Manager
[25:41] career fork - IC mastery vs people leadership
[29:18] money myth - similar comp, very different work
[30:17] principal role - scope without people management

Shifting Focus and New Perspectives
[31:10] persona change - users to buyers and executives
[33:16] politics reality - learning to play the game without being toxic
[36:07] motivation shift - finding joy in others’ success

Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks
[37:30] experience matters - no shortcut to leadership readiness
[38:38] incentives check - understanding what your company rewards
[39:45] humility required - growth demands changing how you think

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