Sam Greenwood's Hot Take - We Need to Rethink Product Management in the Age of Societal Collapse (with Sam Greenwood, Emotional Resilience Coach for PMs)
Apr 1, 2025
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Sam Greenwood, an emotional resilience coach for product managers, offers a candid view on the looming societal collapse and the urgent need for a mindset shift in tech. He argues that product managers are too focused on AI while ignoring broader societal challenges. Greenwood emphasizes the importance of emotional resilience and leadership skills to navigate today’s uncertainties. He stresses that product professionals must transform their fears into innovative solutions, adapting designs to meet evolving market needs amid environmental and political instability.
Product managers need to broaden their perspectives on global challenges to innovate effectively amidst pressing issues like societal collapse.
Cultivating emotional resilience and leadership skills is vital for product managers to navigate stress and respond strategically to evolving societal landscapes.
Deep dives
Societal Collapse and Myopic Views
Societal collapse is identified as a pressing issue, particularly in the context of the technology sector, where many professionals hold an overly narrow perspective of global challenges. This limited outlook not only exacerbates existing problems but also overlooks significant opportunities for growth and innovation. The discussion highlights various contributing factors to societal collapse, including climate change, political instability, and social unrest, suggesting that awareness of these issues is crucial for product managers. By acknowledging the broader context and potential implications of their work, product managers can harness their skills to foster resilience and adapt strategically to an evolving landscape.
The Importance of Emotional Resilience
Building emotional resilience is deemed crucial for product managers who face high levels of stress and complexity in their roles. The development of emotional intelligence and leadership skills is emphasized as essential for navigating the challenges posed by societal shifts and the tech industry's pressures. Rather than merely focusing on immediate tasks, cultivating awareness of personal emotional states can empower individuals to approach problem-solving from a more comprehensive perspective. This emotional resilience enables product managers to engage effectively with broader societal concerns, fostering a mindset conducive to long-term success.
Niche Focus and Building Trust
The discussion advocates for a narrow focus on specific market segments, suggesting that as societal systems fragment, there will be unique opportunities for growth within targeted communities. Identifying a narrow ideal customer profile allows product managers to effectively solve problems and provide value to specific groups. Additionally, building trust within these niches becomes increasingly vital, particularly as trust in general is eroded in the digital landscape. By prioritizing trust and understanding the needs of their customers, product managers can deliver solutions that resonate and achieve quicker adoption, creating sustainable success.
Sam Greenwood is an emotional resilience coach who works with product managers to help them survive at the intersection of emotional stress and product leadership. His goal is to help product managers build EQ, communication and leadership and AI-proof their careers.
Sam's hot take? That we are on the cusp of societal collapse and product managers, as well as people in tech in general, have taken their eye off the ball. Product people need to adopt new mindsets and build different kinds of products to help us weather the storm... although, maybe the storm can't be weathered at all.