podcast Product Excellence product management

Focus on Product, Not Process: Why New PMs Need to Protect Their Role

Jeremy Hornby

When stepping into a new product team, it’s easy to fall into the trap of proving yourself by owning everything, including responsibilities that shouldn’t fall on you. In this episode, David Clements reflects on the pressure to deliver quickly, the tension between product and project roles, and the subtle art of staying focused on what actually moves the product forward.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

  • Establishing Credibility: How to build trust in a new team without overreaching
  • Product vs. Project: Why confusing the two roles creates friction and inefficiency
  • Staying in Your Lane: How to advocate for delivery without becoming a delivery manager
  • Influence without Control: The PM’s job isn’t to manage tasks, but to guide outcomes
  • Protecting Strategic Focus: Why PMs must defend their time and attention

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About the Podcast:

Product Excellence: Insights from Award-Winning Leaders | Strategies for Success
“Product Excellence: Insights from Award-Winning Leaders | Strategies for Success” brings you behind the scenes with the top product management minds who have shaped some of the world’s most successful products. Each episode features award-winning product leaders sharing their real-world experiences, lessons learned, and the strategies that have driven their success. From building innovative digital products to navigating the complexities of stakeholder management, you’ll hear firsthand how these experts have achieved product excellence. Whether you’re an aspiring product manager or a seasoned leader, this podcast offers valuable insights, actionable takeaways, and inspiration to elevate your product management career.   Tune in WEEKLY to discover the key strategies that make products—and product leaders—truly exceptional.