Why Too Much Empathy Can Sabotage Your Product Success!
The Intersection of Empathy and Rationality in Product Development.
As Product Manager/Owner, we often hear the phrase, "A Product Owner is the heart and voice of the user in product development." A successful Product Owner should deeply understand the user and their needs, but does this mean they need to be altruistic? The answer is: not necessarily.
In a recent article, we discussed the challenges and rewards of being a Product Manager. Similarly, being a Product Owner comes with its own set of challenges. You must be willing to listen to their feedback, conduct user research, and analyze data to gain insights into their behavior. You must communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and stakeholders.
At the heart of the Product Owner's role is the user. They represent the user's needs, desires, and pain points. This requires the Product Owner to have a deep sense of empathy and the ability to see things from the user's perspective. However, being an empathetic individual does not necessarily mean being altruistic.
Altruism is defined as "the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others." It's a beautiful concept, but it's not always easy to implement. As mentioned in the previous article, being a Product Manager is not always a glamorous job. Similarly, being a Product Owner requires hard work and dedication.
In a world where altruism is often seen as a virtue, it's essential to recognize that the role of a Product Owner is not that of a volunteer. Product owners are paid professionals who have a job to do: create successful products that meet business goals and user needs. This challenging job requires empathy, attention to detail, and a willingness to work long hours.
According to research by Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology at Georgetown University, there are two types of altruism: empathic and non-empathic. Empathic altruism is driven by a deep emotional connection to others. In contrast, non-empathic altruism is more rational and focuses on the long-term benefits of helping others. Both types of altruism can be helpful in product development. Still, the key is to strike a balance between empathy and rationality.
"Empathic concern may be especially important in contexts where human welfare is at stake and may be less beneficial in contexts where the welfare of the group is paramount," Marsh says. "In some cases, non-empathic strategies are more effective for promoting positive social behavior."
As a Product Owner, it's essential to have empathy for your users, to understand their pain points, and to create products that address those pain points. One of the most challenging aspects of being a Product Owner is balancing the user's and business's needs. You must be able to make tough decisions and prioritize features based on what's best for the user and the company. It's a delicate balancing act that requires finesse and the ability to say "no" more often than "yes."
Product Owners must also manage stakeholders, communicate effectively, and make tough decisions. It's essential to balance competing priorities and make trade-offs that benefit both the business and the user.
Finding the right balance between empathy and rationality separates successful Product Owners from those who struggle. Product Owners need to have compassion for the user. Still, they also need to be able to think critically and make tough decisions that benefit both the user and the business. As Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, said, "You've got to start with the customer experience and work backward to the technology. You can't start with the technology and try to figure out where you will sell it." This quote highlights the importance of empathizing with the user and putting their needs first.
However, it's also essential to recognize the challenges of being a Product Owner. It's a demanding job that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It's not just about empathy for the user; it's also about managing stakeholders, communicating effectively, and making tough decisions. Product Owners need to balance competing priorities and make trade-offs that benefit both the business and the user.
So, is it logical to be altruistic in a paid job? The answer is no. However, it requires striking the right balance between empathy and rationality. Product Owners need compassion for the user, but they also need to be able to think critically and make tough decisions that benefit both the user and the business.
It's essential to recognize that the impact of a Product Owner's work goes beyond just the success of their product. The products they create can significantly impact society and the world. For example, a product designed to make public transportation more accessible can positively impact the environment and people's quality of life. On the other hand, a poorly designed product can have negative consequences, such as contributing to the spread of misinformation or perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Bottom line
Despite the challenges, being a Product Owner can be incredibly rewarding. A sense of satisfaction comes from creating a product that solves real-world problems and makes people's lives easier. There's also the joy of seeing your product's impact on the user and the business.
The role of a Product Owner is not that of an altruistic volunteer. It's a paid job that requires a unique balance between empathy and rationality. Successful Product Owners need to empathize with the user while thinking critically and making tough decisions. It's a challenging job but can also be gratifying, personally and professionally. By striking the right balance between empathy and rationality, Product Owners can create products that meet both business goals and user needs.