Transforming Product Failure Into Success: A Product Manager’s Journey
Sometimes product management can be heartbreaking.
Little is written on failures in product management. But being a leader requires showing vulnerability and examining the bad and the good.
Today I’m going to write about that painful moment when your product is shot down, either because you realized it does not work or because some changes like a merger and aquisition or a new strategic direction emerged.
Whatever the reason, I prefer to pause and feel sorry for my product. Imagine you have put in your best effort and built it to the best of your ability, and now in a way, it has been rejected. That stings.
I would even say that product management is much like raising a child. You conceive an idea, nurture it with passion and dedication, and watch it grow and evolve. It becomes a part of your identity, a testament to your perseverance and creativity.
But what happens when your brainchild doesn’t make it to the marketplace? It can feel like a punch in the gut. The countless hours of work, stress, and sacrifices seem to dissipate into thin air.
However, this moment of rejection is not the end. It can be a transformative period filled with growth and learning opportunities; And you better to get used to it, as it will happen a few times in your career.
Here’s what I do when my product is shot down:
Allow Yourself to Feel the Disappointment
Yes, it’s okay to feel sad, disappointed, and even angry. Acknowledging and processing these emotions is essential instead of ignoring or suppressing them. Through this process, you can start to heal and move on.
Perform a Post-Mortem Analysis
Conducting a thorough analysis of what went wrong and why it went wrong can help prevent similar mistakes in the future. Did we miss a crucial market trend? Was the pricing strategy off? Did we fail to communicate the product’s value to the target audience? This self-reflection can offer invaluable insights. Sometimes it was just the wrong bet, and that’s fine. We are in the business of hypothesis and need to quickly turn to new realms when we understand ours has yet to mature in the way we hoped.
Learn from the Failure
While it might seem cliche, every failure brings a lesson. The key is to identify these lessons and apply them in future endeavors. As much as success teaches you what works, failure illuminates what doesn’t, and this knowledge is equally important. Educate yourself about a growth mindset :)
Celebrate the Journey
Despite the product being shot down, remember to celebrate the journey. Recognize the skills and experience you’ve gained, the relationships you’ve built, and the courage you’ve shown in bringing something new to the world.
Look Forward to the Next Challenge
It’s tough when a product you’ve invested so much in gets shot down. But remember, this is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities. Once you’ve processed your feelings, learned from the experience, and celebrated your journey, it’s time to look forward to the next challenge. Use this setback as a stepping stone to building better, more successful products in the future.
Rejection can be brutal, but it’s integral to our personal and professional growth. So, the next time your product gets shot down, embrace it. It might just be the start of your next big success story.
Special thanks to Tremis Skeete, Executive Editor at Product Coalition for the valuable input which contributed to the editing of this article.
