6 Pieces of Advice for PMs Struggling to Get Team Respect

Jul 05, 2022

“What do I do if I feel like my product team doesn’t respect me?”

Maybe you’re fresh in a product role

Maybe you’re “not technical enough”

Maybe your team is all remote, and bonding is hard

It’s an old trick as old as time.

You don’t have to make everyone like you.

Just be liked by someone others like & respect.

The Tech Lead is a safe bet. You should be collaborating with them anyway.

This is an 80/20 move. Find a way to win them over.

Most people don’t know their strengths.

My mentor once told me: you’re a Swiss knife. Know which tool to use when.

Take Ravi Mehta’s PM assessment or brainstorm + 2x2 your skills (value for team vs. skill level).

Double down on those.

Your strengths might not be enough.

If you lack some basic skills (facilitation, agile process, Excel, etc.) — take a course.

You won’t necessarily be THE BEST, but you will no longer be THE WORST.

Just “good enough” is enough.

Being humble is an unlock.

“I don’t know, but I can find out” is a cheat code.

“I failed, and this is why, and this is what I’ll do to fix it” is a good one too.

Your haters don’t expect you to be vulnerable.

Protecting your ego won’t work.

Team members are people.

People have fears.

Find out what your team is afraid of.

Strategically invest effort in tackling their fears.

Don’t “be the shit umbrella” by default, though. Don’t be a Helicopter Parent.

Listen and help.

Some companies are toxic.

Some team cultures are messed up.

There can be bad apples.

If you’re tired and over it, there’s an option to EJECT.

So you don’t land in a similar situation again, develop some good interview questions to figure out your new team upfront.