Productized Podcast 170. Influence Your Way to Product Leadership: Ken Sandy on Growing from Junior PM to Leader
In this episode, host Pedro Ganço sits down with Ken Sandy, a seasoned product leader, educator, and author of The Influential Product Manager, to break down what it takes to grow from a junior product manager to a strategic product leader.
Ken shares his expert insights on developing core PM skills, mastering stakeholder influence, and navigating the transition from execution to strategy. He dives into the key frameworks every aspiring product leader should know—covering prioritization techniques, decision-making models, and the importance of business acumen.
Whether you’re an early-career PM looking to accelerate your growth or a senior product professional aiming to refine your leadership approach, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you level up your product career.
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The shift from execution to strategy—and why it’s crucial for career growth
➡️ The biggest challenges junior PMs face—and how to overcome them
➡️ How to develop influence and leadership without formal authority
➡️ Why storytelling is a powerful skill for product managers
➡️ The decision-making frameworks that help PMs thrive in complex environments
➡️ How prioritization techniques can make or break a product team
➡️ The evolving role of product management—and how to stay ahead in the field
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Product Management podcast
05:50 Ken Sandy's Journey into Product Management
11:11 The Importance of Execution in Product Management
17:01 Influence Over Authority in Product Management
24:34 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers
25:54 Uncovering Product Management Skills
32:01 Navigating Challenges in Product Management
38:13 The Importance of Decision-Making
46:17 Practical Frameworks for Product Managers
50:21 Prioritization and Stakeholder Alignment
54:27 Essential Skills for Junior Product Managers
01:02:19 Transitioning from Execution to Strategy
01:05:51 The Future of Product Management
Where to find Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensandy/
Bonus materials of The Influencial Product Manager: https://influentialpm.com
Where to find Pedro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroganco/
🎉 Mark your calendars for Productized Conference 2025! Join us for the 10th edition of this premier event, where product management leaders from around the world gather for insightful talks, networking, and celebration. Tickets are already available—don’t miss out! Get your tickets now: https://www.productized.co
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Website: https://productized.co/
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