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# Shit, there goes 9 years…
- URL: https://www.prodbistro.com/shit-there-goes-9-years/
- Published: 2025-05-11T19:42:27.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-11T11:00:19.000Z
- Author: Geoff Anderson
- Tags: News, #geoffrey, #Import 2025-12-06 13:39, #Import 2026-03-07 21:16

No, I am not out of work, quite the contrary, I am about as indispensable as I can be. The good news is that means they keep throwing buckets of RSU’s at me.

Over the past 8 years, I have assiduously avoided all the pressure to be elevated to a leadership role\[1\]. As such, I have been through 5 managers, often people who aren’t well versed in either product management, or the specific challenges our industry presents to product management.

Alas, about a year ago, we got a new “director”, and he began working on me to step up. And as time went on, it became clear that I was going to not only manage the six of the motley crew of product managers, but that I was going to be my Director’s number 2, and involved with … well *everything\[2\]*. Alas my efforts over the last 9 years to remain under the radar, coaching and mentoring interim bosses because they often lacked knowledge of product management, or our industry (and in one case both).

Alas, I just turned 60 years old. I have about 5ish years left until I can hang up my spurs and ride on into the sunset, and suddenly, I find myself with buckets more responsibility. But, my team did send me a gift for my birthday: 

![image of a coffee mug](https://storage.ghost.io/c/59/a5/59a59480-46d3-4f1d-b955-432d3dc7bfeb/content/images/2025/05/mug.jpg)

The other side says: "World's Best Boss"

At least this time, I have enough pull to replace myself. That has been the downside of all my prior elevations into people management.

The money is good though, and the longer I hold on, the better my retirement will be. I guess that is a good thing.

Regardless, I am going to have things to say, so expect me to get chattier. 

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\[1\] trust me, the pressure to step up has been continual and aggressive. 

\[2\] this does require a lot of work, and way too many early calls.