Flow State, Empathy, and Product Management

     Have you heard of flow state? It's a state of mind when you're totally absorbed by and deeply focused on something, beyond the point of distraction. When time sneaks up on you, it's likely because you were in a flow state of mind. It's like we wake up from a day dream and realize 2 hours have disappeared while you were busy doing what ever has kept your attention. Think back to a time when this happened, what was it? For me it's often admin tasks, like emails, roadmap tweaking, feature writing, slide design for my next presentation, and next thing I know. Boom, late for my next meeting because I lost track of time in a flow state.

    Don't worry, I'm not here to critique your meeting attendance etiquette. I want to talk about this flow state within the practice of product management, and how it can remind you to bring others along.

Product Perspective

    Let's start with Empathy. You've heard of this idea. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's what makes us cry tears of joy when we see a heart warming video, or makes us laugh when we see others laughing so hard they can't breath. It's a huge part of connection within our relationships. It drives understanding and causes our own perspectives to evolve. As a product manager empathy is you're best friend. I'm talking ride or die, deepest darkest secrets, taco bell at 2am, sending texts while in the same room kind of friend. Without empathy you will likely have trouble gaining alignment with leadership and even worse, provide less value to your users. 

   

    Every person you work with has their own perspective. They understand and form opinions completely outside of your control. Product managers spend massive amounts of time aligning people to ensure we all know where our product is going. It can be a frustrating task at times. If you've been a product manager for any decent period of time, you probably relate to a frustrated parent asking, "how many times do I have to tell you?" 

    This is because you spend every day, every minute working on your products. It's a luxury others in your organization don't have. You're the one with the unique perspective here, not everyone else. It's your responsibility to get people aligned and in the same understanding when it comes to product strategy. Now remember, you spend hours in a flow state, being as productive as a caffeinated squirrel prepping for winter, focused only on your products. Think about how much more understanding you're going to have compared to the other people you work with. Their perspective and understanding is going to feel like you're talking to a toddler at times. It's frustrating I know, but you need to slow down and take the extra time to bring others along with you. Maybe skip the coffee before you meet with stakeholders next time.

Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow

    Don't get me wrong, there are times as a product manager where you will need to forge ahead without full support and alignment, but most of the time it's not worth it. When we do this, it stresses relationships we have worked hard to build and maintain. You can only do this so many times before your stakeholders will stop engaging with you. You become an unempathetic bulldozer. So use your autonomy and authority as a product manager sparingly and wisely. Don't become a bulldozer, unless.............................. 

    you're playing an imaginary game of construction work with your 3 year old at home. Then yes, become the bulldozer! Become the best imaginary bulldozer the world has ever seen. I'm talking noises, movements, the whole shebang. 

Sorry, back to product management.

    

    More often than not making progress slower WITH others is much more valuable than moving faster alone. You may find yourself on an island all alone screaming WILSON if you don't take the time to bring others with you on the product journey. This is when you should think about product roadmaps like a road trip. They're always more fun with someone in the passenger seat.

What Have We Learned Today?

    Let's simplify what we just talked about. 

1. Flow state is great, but you're likely one of the few people experiencing it while focused on your product or products.
2. Flow state can put you way ahead of others and you need to remember to slow down to allow others to catch up.
3. Empathy is your best friend as a product manager.
4. It's always better to have support around the product strategy when you can.
5. Use roadmaps to catch people up to where you need them to be.

   

Now go take care of your stakeholders. Make them want to join you on your product road trip and listen to their favorite Now Music album with the windows down.