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Proverbs and Product Management

It’s not often that I look to scripture for inspiration for product management and the development of software, but today, a friend sent me some great words of advice:

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.

Proverbs 10:17

This proverb underscores the value of being open to learning and the peril of ignoring constructive criticism. For product managers, it means fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Keeping instruction involves using customer feedback, market trends, and product data analytics to inform decision-making.

Product managers should create a feedback loop with stakeholders, including customers, team members, and executives. By being receptive to feedback and willing to adjust their strategies, product managers can enhance product features, improve user satisfaction, and avoid the pitfalls that come with being unresponsive to the market’s needs.

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1

Embracing guidance is equated with a love for knowledge, suggesting that openness to learning is wise, whereas the aversion to feedback is foolish. In product management, this translates to a zeal for understanding every facet of the product and its ecosystem, and the realization that every piece of feedback is an opportunity to learn and improve.

A love for instruction pushes product managers to actively seek out professional development opportunities, to be keen on analytics and research, and to iterate their product based on what they learn from actual user experiences. They understand that negative feedback is not a personal attack but a chance to grow.

Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Proverbs 13:18

This saying warns against the dangers of ignoring constructive criticism, which can lead to failure and disgrace, and contrasts it with the respect that comes from valuing and acting upon correction. For product management, this could mean the difference between a product that fails to meet the market needs and one that succeeds by adapting to feedback.

By considering rebukes as valuable insights, product managers can pivot away from strategies that don’t work and align their products with what the market values. Honoring such feedback can result in a product that not only fulfills customer expectations but also stands out in the market, leading to success and recognition for the product and the team.

These interpretations show how timeless wisdom can guide current practices in product management. Product managers who heed these proverbs may cultivate an approach that not only respects the current market demands but also builds a sustainable and responsive product development process.

Better words could not be spoken. Learn more, be open, accept criticism, and learn from your mistakes.

Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr is CMO of OpenINSIGHTS and the founder of the Martech Zone. Douglas has helped dozens of successful MarTech startups, has assisted in the due diligence of over $5 bil in Martech acquisitions and investments, and continues to assist companies in implementing and automating their sales and marketing strategies. Douglas is an internationally recognized digital transformation and MarTech expert and speaker. Douglas is also a published author of a Dummie's guide and a business leadership book.

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