The Hard Trade-Offs
Product leadership is messy.
That's not a flaw. Judgement is the job.
Written by François de Bodinat
"A must read for executive product leaders"
Pierre-Olivier
Chief Product Officer
"Reality check on product leadership"
Christelle
VP Product
"Frameworks help you think.
Judgement decides."
Chapter 01
“Even if you don't own the P&L, you have to act as if you do.”
In French · 1h 11 min
Listen to the episode →Featured in Le Ticket
Article · May 2026“A 139-page manual for product leaders who want the truth, not business speak.”
When frameworks are no longer enough.
How to decide when data conflicts, incentives don't align, and waiting becomes a decision.
How to say no when alignment is partial, authority unclear, and there's no air cover above.
How to own trade-offs where consequences aren't shared, and take responsibility when some decisions hurt.
How to frame decisions in the language of power when the room is tense and credibility matters.
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
