Bushido in the Boardroom: Embracing Samurai Virtues in Product Management
In the intricate world of product management, the ancient samurai code of Bushido, with its focus on loyalty, courage, and honor, offers a unique lens through which to view our modern challenges. These virtues, deeply rooted in the way of the samurai, provide a framework for making decisions that are not only effective but also ethically sound and deeply respectful of the product and the team.
Loyalty to Vision — The Samurai’s Commitment
The virtue of loyalty in Bushido is about unwavering commitment. In product management, this translates to a steadfast dedication to your product’s vision. It’s easy to get sidetracked by market trends or internal pressures, but true loyalty is about staying true to the core idea that sparked the product’s creation.
Real-Life Example:
Instagram’s transformation from Burbn to Instagram. Initially, Burbn was cluttered with features, but the team realized the photo-sharing aspect was what users loved most. They showed remarkable loyalty to this insight, stripping away everything else to create Instagram.
Solution:
- Identify and focus on the feature that provides the most value to your users.
- Be willing to let go of aspects of your product that don’t align with the core vision.
Courage in Decision-Making — The Samurai’s Bravery
Courage, a hallmark of Bushido, is about facing challenges head-on. In the realm of product management, this means having the bravery to make tough decisions, whether it’s about pivoting strategy, discontinuing a feature, or even standing up to stakeholders when necessary.
Real-Life Example:
Netflix’s decision to move from DVD rentals to streaming. This was a massive gamble at the time, as streaming was a relatively untested market. However, their courage to embrace this new direction fundamentally changed the entertainment industry.
Solution:
- Embrace and lead change, even when it involves stepping into unknown territory.
- Make decisions based on where the market is heading, not just where it is now.
Honor and Integrity — Upholding the Team and Product
Honor and integrity in Bushido go beyond personal ethics; they encompass the entire approach to life and work. In product management, this means ensuring that every aspect of the product and the team’s work is conducted with the highest standards of integrity.
Real-Life Example:
Patagonia’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. This commitment often comes at a higher cost but has established Patagonia as a brand that genuinely stands for something beyond profit.
Solution:
- Uphold ethical standards in every aspect of product development.
- Build a brand identity that aligns with your values and resonates with your customers.
The Modern Samurai — Profiles in Product Management
In today’s corporate world, we encounter various ‘samurai’ archetypes in product management. The ‘Product Samurai’ balances vision, courage, and integrity, much like Apple under Steve Jobs, focusing on innovation, quality, and customer experience. In contrast, the ‘Fire Manager Samurai’ might resemble the chaotic launch of Windows Vista, where rushed decisions and a lack of clear vision led to a problematic release.
Example of ‘Product Samurai’:
Apple under Steve Jobs, focusing on innovation, quality, and customer experience.
Solution:
- Balance innovation with practical execution.
- Maintain high standards for product quality and user experience.
Example of ‘Fire Manager Samurai’:
The chaotic launch of Windows Vista, marked by rushed decisions and a lack of clear vision.
Solution:
- Avoid rushing products to market without adequate testing and refinement.
- Develop a clear, strategic vision before execution.
Embracing Bushido in product management is about learning from the past to navigate the future. By integrating these ancient virtues into modern practices, product managers can lead their teams and products to success, respect, and integrity.
Originally published at http://onuruguroffical.com on November 17, 2023.
