The Agile Daily Standup - AgileDad How to Say No Without Killing Innovation
Sep 23, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by constant requests? Discover how strategically saying no can sharpen focus and enhance innovation. Learn to prioritize effectively using metrics and frameworks like RICE and Kano. Understand the power of transparent communication that transforms refusals into strategic decisions. Embrace the art of focusing on what truly matters for impactful product development!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
No Is A Strategic Tool
- Saying no is a product manager's secret weapon to drive meaningful impact.
- Saying no doesn't mean killing innovation; it's about strategic selection.
The Frankenstein Product Example
- Lee describes how saying yes to everything creates a 'Frankenstein product' that lacks clarity.
- He uses a toaster metaphor to show how feature bloat confuses product purpose.
Pick A North Star Metric
- Define a clear North Star metric before you start saying no.
- If a request doesn't move that metric, it probably doesn't belong.