Why Product Managers Need a Dose of Stoicism

Arush Sharma
3 min readAug 27, 2024

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Just Like Stoic Inquiry, Great Products Start with User Research

Stoicism emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and actively seeking wisdom. This aligns perfectly with the core tenet of user research in product management. Stoics wouldn’t accept something as true simply because it feels right, but great product managers don’t rely on intuition alone. They conduct user research to understand user needs and validate their hypotheses.

Ego in Check: Embracing User Feedback Like a Stoic

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a product feature, only to have user testing reveal its shortcomings. This scenario can be a blow to the ego. Stoicism teaches us to detach from external outcomes and focus on what we can control — our actions and reactions. A good product manager, like a Stoic, welcomes user feedback, even if it’s critical. They see it as an opportunity to learn and improve the product.

Stoic Reason: The Antidote to Confirmation Bias

Our inherent biases can cloud our judgment during user research analysis. Stoicism equips us with the tools to combat this. By approaching results with reason and impartiality, we can avoid interpreting data to fit our preconceived notions. Imagine Marcus Aurelius himself urging you to “forge your interpretations in the fires of reason,” ensuring user feedback truly drives product decisions.

Building Excellence: A Stoic Habit for Products

Stoicism champions the concept of “arete,” which translates to excellence in action. PMs strive for the same: creating products that excel in their purpose and user experience. Just like Stoicism doesn’t offer a magic bullet, arete isn’t achieved overnight. It requires consistent effort, methodical planning, and dedication — much like the rigorous documentation practices championed by UX researchers.

In Conclusion: Stoicism, Your Secret Weapon for Product Management

While seemingly far removed from the world of product development, Stoicism offers a treasure trove of practical wisdom.

By embracing user research, remaining objective in the face of feedback, and relentlessly pursuing product excellence, product managers can leverage Stoicism to build products that truly resonate with their users. Remember, as Will Durant reminds us,

“Excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

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Arush Sharma
Arush Sharma

Written by Arush Sharma

Student | Sporadic writer | Voracious reader | Traveler | Observer | Thinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharma-arush/ https://www.arushsharma.com/

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