In r/ProductOwner, someone asked:
“What’s the best and worst part of being a product owner?”
The thread filled with raw, honest answers — many pointing to the same tension:
You’re responsible for the outcome.
But you don’t always have the authority to shape it.
Where the job gets heavy
“You need vision.”
But you’re pulled into detail and delivery every hour of the day. “You’re a mini CEO.”
But without the power — only the expectations. “You're blamed when it breaks.”
Even if the roadmap wasn’t yours to write. “Autonomy varies wildly.”
Some get full ownership. Others just get tickets. “The context switches never stop.”
One minute you’re solving. The next, you’re defending.
But you’re pulled into detail and delivery every hour of the day. “You’re a mini CEO.”
But without the power — only the expectations. “You're blamed when it breaks.”
Even if the roadmap wasn’t yours to write. “Autonomy varies wildly.”
Some get full ownership. Others just get tickets. “The context switches never stop.”
One minute you’re solving. The next, you’re defending.
What’s really happening?
It’s not that product owners don’t want to lead.
It’s that they’re often stuck between influence and execution,
with unclear rules, unclear power, and unclear support.
The result? Burnout, confusion, and scattered teams.
So what helps?
Clarity. Language. Shared expectations.
FOCUS-ROI helps teams (and POs) zoom out from the chaos and ask:
- What are we really trying to achieve?
- What’s blocking us?
- What matters most — and what’s noise?
Because when you see clearly,
you stop being a bottleneck — and start being a beacon.
Try the quick guide OR Download the free Quick Guide (PDF)
It’s not just for product owners.
It’s for the whole team — to think better, together.
Ownership isn’t about holding everything.
It’s about helping everyone hold the right thing.