Product Managers Rethink 'Politics' as Core to Role, Combatting Burnout

A recent social media post by George from prodmgmt.world has ignited discussion among Product Managers, suggesting a paradigm shift in how they view internal "politics." The post highlights a common sentiment of burnout stemming from stakeholder management, proposing that successful PMs reframe these interactions as an integral part of product work rather than a separate, frustrating obstacle. This perspective aims to transform the "soul-crushing grind of internal stakeholder theater" into a strategic component of their role.

The author confessed to spending "eight years as a PM hating the politics," where "90% of meetings convincing people" overshadowed "10% actually building." This sentiment resonated widely, particularly referencing a Reddit post titled "Anyone else feel like PM became more about politics than products?" which garnered 42 comments, all echoing similar frustrations. The core issue, according to the post, is the exhaustion from "managing up, defending roadmaps, explaining trade-offs to people who never use the product."

However, the key insight shared is that thriving Product Managers do not avoid "politics" but rather cease to label it as such, instead calling it "product work." This mental shift is compared to understanding the dynamics of startup funding, where mastering the "game" of influence, team building, and compelling storytelling is crucial for success. The post outlines a hierarchy of engagement with internal dynamics, from "Level 1: Complain about politics" to "Level 5: Politics becomes invisible," indicating a progression towards mastery.

Industry experts and various reports corroborate the prevalence of burnout among Product Managers, often attributing it to the demanding nature of the role, constant context switching, high expectations, and the complexities of stakeholder management. Effective strategies to mitigate burnout often emphasize transparent communication, ruthless prioritization, and setting clear boundaries, aligning with the tweet's call to master influence rather than fight internal dynamics. By integrating these "political" aspects into their core responsibilities, Product Managers can shift their energy from convincing to "building together," ultimately leading to more time spent on actual product development.