Avoid the most common Product Manager’s mistake!

Not saying “No” is one of the most common Product Managers’ mistakes! Especially junior PMs often feel they have to say “Yes” to a Senior stakeholder request. Here are 8 points to help you avoid that failure:

1) Treat every request as a point of inspiration — As a Product Manager, you are supposed to be on the lookout for the best opportunities to add value to your product at a minimum cost and risk. That means you need to be certain that an idea meets those criteria and you need time to look into it. Thus:

2) Give yourself time — Research the request. Only when you are sure you want to do it, put it in the backlog.

3) Be diplomatic and transparent in your communication — Every request should go through a verification process. Your stakeholder needs to be aware of that. However, you will need to dedicate time to explain that you need your numbers and time to give a final assessment. At the same time:

4) Keep common sense — there are potentially great ideas and things that either are plain stupid or will never happen. You don’t need to deceive your stakeholder, so giving a straight answer when you already know it is a good way to go. At the same time:

5) Take your time explaining why you said “No” — While presenting the reasons a request is rejected, take your…