Leading Product
The Hard Trade-Offs
The Hard Trade-Offs
The Hard Trade-Offs
This book exists because product leadership is messy,
and that’s not a flaw. It’s the job.
This book exists because
product leadership is messy,
and that’s not a flaw. It’s the job.
The book: Leading Product
The book:
Leading Product
Written by François de Bodinat
"A must read for executive product leaders"
"A must read for executive product leaders"
Pierre Oliver
Pierre Oliver
Chief Product Officer
Chief Product Officer
"Reality check on product leadership"
"Reality check on product leadership"
Christelle
Christelle
VP Product
VP Product
"Frameworks help you think.
Judgement decides."
"Frameworks help you think.
Judgement decides."
Chapter 01
About François
About François
Chief Product Officer in scale-ups and public companies.
I lead product where decisions can’t be delegated, and process doesn’t make the call.
Chief Product Officer in scale-ups
and public companies.
I lead product where decisions can’t be delegated, and process doesn’t make the call.
Things this book prepares you for
Things This Book
Prepares You For
When frameworks are no longer enough.
When frameworks are no longer enough.
When There’s No Right Answer
How to decide when data conflicts, incentives don’t align, and waiting becomes a decision.
Saying No Without Cover
How to say no when alignment is partial, authority unclear, and there’s no air cover above.
Owning Trade-offs That Hurt
How to own trade-offs that create winners and losers, and live with consequences.
Leading Under Constraints
How to steer when the org is imperfect, the process incomplete, and politics shape real outcomes.
Speaking to Power Clearly
How to frame decisions in the language of power when the room is tense and credibility matters.
When Everything Collapses
How to carry responsibility when escalation fails, consensus breaks down, and clarity disappears
When There’s No Right Answer
How to decide when data conflicts, incentives don’t align, and waiting becomes a decision.
Saying No Without Cover
How to say no when alignment is partial, authority unclear, and there’s no air cover above.
Owning Trade-offs That Hurt
How to own trade-offs that create winners and losers, and live with consequences.
Leading Under Constraints
How to steer when the org is imperfect, the process incomplete, and politics shape real outcomes.
Speaking to Power Clearly
How to frame decisions in the language of power when the room is tense and credibility matters.
When Everything Collapses
How to carry responsibility when escalation fails, consensus breaks down, and clarity disappears
Ready to Lead?
Is this book for you?
Is this book for you?
Maybe Not. Let's find out.
Maybe Not. Let's find out.
This book is for you if you are a CPO, Head of Product, or senior leader under real pressure, making decisions that can’t be delegated, escalated, or solved by process.
This book is less for you if you’re mainly looking for frameworks, templates, or “best practices”, rather than owning the hard calls.
"Someone always has to make the call."
Chapter 03
@ 2026 François de Bodinat - All rights reserved
@ 2026 François de Bodinat - All rights reserved