S2E2: Managing Stress and Influence Without Authority with Keith Allen Johns

Have you ever ended a workday exhausted, knowing you were busy all day, but unsure what actually moved forward?In this episode, Karl sits down with Keith Allen Johns to talk about the invisible weight product managers carry and why the stress of the role so often shows up at work and at home. Keith shares his own journey from climbing to the C‑suite to realizing that something still felt off, and how that search for “what’s missing” led him to work closely with product managers who feel responsible for everything but in control of very little.He tells vivid stories from his coaching practice, including a product manager who thought his biggest problem was being interrupted while working from home, only to discover it was fear, not frustration, driving his reactions. Another moment comes from a senior executive who started every day answering email in bed, convinced it was necessary, until a small change in awareness quietly transformed how she performed and felt at work.The conversation explores what it really means to influence without authority, why self‑awareness is a prerequisite for collaboration, and how storytelling becomes easier once you’re calm enough to truly see the people around you. This episode is a compassionate, practical look at how stress shapes our decisions and how stepping out of autopilot can make both product work and life feel more manageable.If product management has ever felt like a constant state of urgency, or if you’ve wondered why the job feels so heavy even when things are “fine,” this episode will feel like someone finally put words to it.Memorable Quotes from Keith Allen Johns: "The change you want to see in your life can all be driven from the inside out."  "How you choose to handle stress is a choice." "Influence begins with understanding the motivations and drives of the people you work with." Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to connect with Keith Allen Johns on LinkedIn or visit his website at www.keithallenjohns.com to learn more about his coaching programs and upcoming events.