Conflicts happen naturally in product development. Engineers might want to fix technical debt while marketing pushes for new features. Design may need more time for testing, while business teams want faster delivery. These tensions aren't bad; they're normal when different teams have different priorities.

Good product managers don't avoid these conflicts but help resolve them productively. Here's how to handle cross-team tensions:

• Focus on shared goals. Remind everyone what you're all working toward together. Whether it's making users happy, growing the business, or improving quality, keeping discussions centered on common objectives helps make disagreements less personal.
• Be clear about trade-offs. Admit that every decision means giving up something else. Clearly explain what you're prioritizing and what you're willing to compromise on. This honesty builds trust even when teams don't get everything they want.
• Use data when possible. Base discussions on user research, market information, or performance metrics rather than opinions. Data gives everyone an objective reference point that can help settle disagreements.
• Create a decision framework. Develop a consistent way to evaluate options that includes multiple perspectives. This might mean looking at technical complexity, user impact, business value, and strategic fit for each option.