What does it really take to lead a great product team in 2025? In this episode of the Productized Podcast, host Pedro Ganço sits down with David Pereira—product coach, author, and thought leader—to unpack the hard truths and actionable strategies behind successful product management. From humble beginnings coding for free to becoming a C-level executive and now a renowned voice in product coaching, David shares how curiosity has shaped his career and philosophy. They explore what traps product teams, how to navigate roadmaps and stakeholder pressure, and why product managers should be more like jazz musicians than orchestra conductors. Plus, David unpacks the future of product management in the age of AI and offers practical advice for PMs at every level.

Key Takeaways:

➡️ Why curiosity is the ultimate career hack for PMs

➡️ How to balance value vs. velocity in product development

➡️ Why backlogs age like milk, not wine

➡️ The trap of prescriptive roadmaps—and what to do instead

➡️ How to navigate stakeholder alignment, team culture, and job changes

➡️ What AI really means for the future of product work

➡️ A candid look at the evolution of the product manager role

With sharp insights and no-nonsense advice, David challenges outdated practices and offers a manifesto for change—one that puts people, learning, and impact first.

🎧 Whether you're a new PM or a seasoned product leader, this episode is packed with practical tips, critical thinking tools, and mindset shifts to help you lead better, build smarter, and create change—together.

📌Chapters:

03:02 David Pereira's Journey from Developer to Product Leader

05:47 The Role of Curiosity in Career Development

08:44 Understanding Product Teams and Their Success Metrics

12:14 Balancing Value and Velocity in Product Management

15:14 Strategies for Managing Backlogs Effectively

18:21 Navigating Uncertainty in Product Development

20:59 The Importance of Roadmaps and Stakeholder Alignment

24:08 Challenges Facing Product Teams Today

27:11 Building a Culture of Trust and Collaboration

29:27 Navigating Company Culture and Job Changes

33:00 The Evolution of Product Management

38:11 The Role of AI in Product Management

44:10 Practical Advice for New Product Managers

47:09 Honesty in Product Management

48:11 Manifesto for Empowering Product Teams

🔗 Where to find David Pereira:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidavpereira/

Website: https://www.d-pereira.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Untrapping-Product-Teams-Simplify-Complexity/dp/0135335388

David’s upcoming course: 100x Product Manager (launching July 2025)

🔗 Find Pedro Ganço:

LinkedIn: 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 leaders gather to share, connect, and celebrate. Get your tickets now 👉 https://www.productized.co

Where to find us:

Newsletter 👉 http://bit.ly/3aMvWn2

Website: https://productized.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/productized

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productized.co/

Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/pt-BR/Productized/

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179. Why Most Product Teams Are Stuck and How to Fix Them | David Pereira

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