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Being a PM is a busy job with an endless litany of things to do. If you're not careful, others will try to add to your backlog in ways that don't help your product or your time management. Learn to recognize and avoid these beautiful distractions.

Traditional wisdom over the last 20 years has advised PMs to 'Act like the CEO of your product'. While helpful, I feel this is flawed. You need to act like the Chief Product Officer (CPO). This will set you up for maximum success as a product leader.

In a guest post for Ethan Evans' LEVEL UP community, I talk about how your experience in a career changes as you transition from an individual contributor, to manager, to executive. Each level will reorient the direction you manage and get managed. https://levelupwithethanevans.substack.com/

Many sources describe how to be a great product manager. Amongst all the techniques and guides, one critical skill stands out; getting your product shipped. Going from idea to product takes navigating your organization successfully while building your product to get your product to customers.

Your brand enters the room before you do. If you're a PM with a powerful and positive brand, you will be more effective motivating teams and getting what you need done. Brand is tricky, however, because you don't own it; you only influence it.

The career of product management is very fulfilling, but ultimately not for everyone. It’s a harder job than it looks like when you only see the glossy product announcements. Read on for an unvarnished look at many sides of a PM job role to help determine if this is for you.

While leading people and product, one thing separates people who do the job from people who lead. That is sharing your voice on product topics including your vision, your strategy, and your confidence. Sharing comes with criticism, and that only makes you better.

Living in Silicon Valley and having worked at day zero start-ups, I've met many venture capitalists. At one point I even interviewed with some well-known VCs. Over the years I've heard that many believe PM is a great pre-VC role. In this post I looked at the data and it's true. PM is a great side door into VC.

PM credential courses and degrees are becoming more popular and available. If you are considering a credential program to help you get your first PM job; choose carefully. Keep reading to understand how to evaluate a training investment, plus many training opportunities today.

Few things seem to induce terror in people more than public speaking. I have met many in my life who avoid it any form. In a product management career, this is a critical skill in order to be effective, prosper and get ahead. Become bulletproof with practice and by applying techniques shared in this post.