Product management is 50% strategy and 50% psychology.
1The Power of 'No'
Saying 'No' is your primary job. But you shouldn't just say 'No'; you should say 'Not now, because of X'. Use your roadmap and metrics as the objective reason for your decisions.
2Radical Transparency
Bad news should travel fast. If a deadline is going to be missed, tell your stakeholders as soon as you know. This builds trust, whereas hiding problems until the last minute destroys it.
3The Stakeholder Map
Every project needs a map. Who are the blockers? Who are the champions? Who needs to be consulted (RACI model)? Knowing this before you start a project prevents 'surprises' later on.
