Why Is It So Hard to Be a Product Manager?

If you're dreaming about being a product manager (PM), you're probably excited about building great products, solving problems, and working with amazing teams.

But here’s the truth: being a PM is one of the most challenging jobs out there. That’s not to say it isn’t rewarding, but it comes with unique struggles that can catch new or aspiring PMs off guard.

In today's newsletter edition we will break it down in simple, relatable terms. This will help you figure out if product management is the right career for you.

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1. You Don’t Actually Build Anything Yourself

This might surprise you. While you’ll work closely with engineers, designers, marketers, and others, you won’t be the one writing the code, creating the design, or drafting marketing copy. Your job is to guide the process, set priorities, and ensure the team is aligned.

That can feel strange, especially if you’re coming from a hands-on background like engineering or design. You might feel a step removed, but that’s the point—you’re the glue that holds everything together. The real magic happens when you empower your team to shine in their areas of expertise.

PS - This does not mean you don't deliver anything. You also have to deliver some stuff like actual requirements (PRDs), User Stories, Wireframes etc.

2. Change Is the Only Constant

Imagine you’re halfway through baking a pizza, and someone suddenly tells you, “Actually, let’s make sushi instead.” Welcome to product management!

Markets shift, customer needs evolve, and priorities change. What felt like a solid plan last month might be irrelevant today. As a PM, you need to embrace this chaos and stay flexible. It’s not about sticking rigidly to a plan, it’s about adapting quickly and making smart decisions under pressure.

3. You’re the Answer Machine

A product manager is like a human Google search bar. Everyone from engineers to executives, will come to you with questions:

• “What’s the priority for this sprint?”
• “Why are we building this feature?”
• “When will this be ready?”

It’s your job to have (or find) the answers. That’s a lot of responsibility, and it can get overwhelming. You’ll need to balance making decisions quickly with taking the time to gather input from your team and data.

4. Stakeholders Are Tricky

Here’s the thing about stakeholders: they’re people, and people are complicated. Each one has their own goals, expectations, and communication style. You’ll need to learn how to navigate these relationships, understand their motivations, and sometimes say “no” without making them feel dismissed.

The tough part? Stakeholder priorities can change. Someone who’s cheering you on today might question your decisions tomorrow. You’ll need to stay focused on what’s best for the product and the business, even if it means having hard conversations.

5. There’s No Instant Gratification

Unlike roles where you can see immediate results (like fixing a bug or designing a screen), product management is all about the long game. You’ll spend weeks, months, or even years planning, prioritizing, and coordinating before you see the results of your work.

And even then, the success is shared with the team. You own the failures outright, but the wins? Those belong to everyone. That’s how it should be, but it can be tough to adjust to.

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6. You’ll Always Want More Resources

More time, more people, more budget—there’s never enough. As a PM, you’ll constantly feel the crunch. The challenge is to figure out how to deliver the most value with what you have. It’s like trying to cook a gourmet meal with only five ingredients.

This means ruthless prioritization. Not everything can make it onto the roadmap, and not every feature can be perfect. Your job is to make trade-offs that align with your product vision and deliver the most impact.

7. Data Isn’t Always Clear

You’ll hear a lot about being “data-driven,” but here’s the catch: the data isn’t always there, or it’s messy, or it tells a story that’s hard to interpret. You’ll need to learn how to make decisions even when the data isn’t perfect.

Sometimes, you’ll have to rely on intuition, customer feedback, or advice from your team. That’s okay. The key is to be transparent about your reasoning and ready to course-correct if new information comes to light.

8. Nobody Really Gets What You Do

Let’s face it: explaining product management to your friends and family is tricky. They might think you’re in tech but don’t code, or that you’re in charge of everything (you’re not), or that your job is just attending meetings (it’s not, well, mostly).

Even within your company, not everyone will fully understand your role. But that’s okay. Your impact isn’t always visible, but it’s felt in the success of the product and the alignment of the team.

The Upside? It’s Worth It

Yes, product management is hard. But it’s also incredibly fulfilling. You get to shape the direction of a product, solve meaningful problems, and work with amazing people. You’ll grow as a leader, sharpen your decision-making skills, and build something that makes a real impact.

So, if you’re considering a career as a PM, know this: it’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Dive in with an open mind, embrace the challenges, and don’t forget to celebrate the wins - big or small, with your team.

After all, product management isn’t just about building great products, it’s about growing into the best version of yourself along the way.

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