Every product leader loves a quick approval. A stakeholder nods, smiles and signs off on your roadmap. It feels like a massive victory.
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But often it is a trap.
A fast yes often means the stakeholder is not actually engaged. They have not truly evaluated the tradeoffs. They have not committed real resources, budget or attention. Sometimes they just want to get out of the meeting.
Real alignment requires healthy friction. It requires hard questions about priorities and constraints. If stakeholders approve everything instantly, they are far more likely to reverse course the moment pressure appears.
To drive durable alignment, you've got to probe for commitment. "So can you dedicate 2 of your people to this until launch?" is the sort of follow-up question that will get them to pause, reflect, and make a real decision.
Catch me in San Luis Obispo next week
I’ll be in San Luis Obispo from June 1–5. If you’re a product leader or founder nearby and want to grab coffee, talk shop or compare notes, let me know. Would be great to connect while I’m in town.