From “Mini-CEO” to Value Owner: Navigating the Real Product Manager Role

Product Owners and Product Managers are often told they are “mini CEOs.”
In reality, many are judged on delivery dates, scope, and budgets, even when value is unclear, assumptions are untested, and decisions are made elsewhere.

This session is a practical guide for practicing and aspiring POs and PMs who want to:
• Clearly map where they are today in their organization
• Understand what it actually means to operate as a Product Manager, beyond titles
• Identify the gaps between responsibility, authority, and accountability
• Learn how to create and protect value while working within real organizational constraints.

Rather than selling an idealized role, this talk focuses on:
• Making better decisions with limited influence
• Increasing your product impact incrementally
• Moving intentionally toward a true product role without waiting for permission or requiring a reorg

Whether you’re called a Product Owner, Product Manager, or something else entirely, this session will help you operate with clarity, credibility, and realism.