David Clements: Establishing Credibility and Avoiding the Product-Project Trap

In this episode of "Product Excellence: Insights from Award-Winning Leaders | Strategies for Success," David Clements discusses the challenges of joining a new team and establishing credibility as a product manager. He also explores the common struggle of being confused with project management, especially when stakeholders expect product managers to be responsible for delivery timelines. David shares his strategies for staying focused on product vision and outcomes while managing the tension between product and delivery teams. If you’ve ever felt pulled into the 'how' rather than the 'what,' this episode is for you.🔑 What You'll Learn:• The PM vs. Project Manager Trap: Why product managers must protect their scope• Establishing Credibility: How David approached his first six weeks in a new team• Influence vs. Ownership: The challenge of pushing delivery without owning the how• Stakeholder Misalignment: What happens when execs don’t understand your role• Staying Strategic: How to resist getting dragged into velocity, process, or status