What Can Product Managers Learn from the Avengers?
I have 2 ardent Marvel fans at home. We watch every web series , movie releases since 2016, and it’s not optional for me :)
I have begun loving it too - with their gripping stories, remarkable character development, and impressive teamwork. It’s not just a superhero story – it’s a wealth of lessons wrapped in a cape.
But what if we look at the Avengers through a product management lens? Let's explore the lessons product managers can learn from Earth's mightiest heroes.
Assemble Your Team
Like the Avengers, product managers are often tasked with assembling diverse teams. Each member brings unique skills, experience, and perspectives, and just like Thor’s hammer or Captain America’s shield, each is vital in its own right.
For instance, consider the start of the Avengers Initiative. Nick Fury saw potential in a diverse group of individuals and brought them together to achieve a common goal. Similarly, product managers have to assemble cross-functional teams, ensuring that each member aligns with the product vision while contributing with their unique expertise.
Lead Like Captain America
Steve Rogers, a.k.a Captain America, embodies leadership. His commitment to his values and his ability to inspire others set him apart. Product managers, too, must lead with integrity, making decisions based on a clear set of principles and always prioritizing the needs of the users.
Remember when Captain America stood against his own team in "Civil War" because he believed it was the right thing to do? Product managers may face similar situations where they have to advocate for the customer or the product, even when it’s not the popular opinion. Having the courage to stand up for what’s right is an essential trait of a successful product manager.
Embrace Innovation Like Tony Stark
If Tony Stark isn't the embodiment of innovation, who is? From upgrading his suits to pioneering new technology, Stark’s mindset is always geared towards improving and evolving. He doesn’t shy away from failure but sees it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Product managers should aspire to cultivate a similar mindset. From improving product features to pivoting strategies, innovation is at the heart of product management. Like Stark, don’t fear failure. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it drive you towards the next breakthrough.
The Black Widow Approach to Communication
Natasha Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, is an adept communicator. She can negotiate with a hostile enemy, extract information from a tight-lipped ally, or comfort a friend in need. She uses empathy, active listening, and tact, always adapting her communication style to the situation.
Product managers interact with a diverse range of stakeholders, from engineers to executives. Like Romanoff, they need to be flexible communicators, adjusting their tone, content, and style to fit the audience and the context.
Embrace Diversity Like The Avengers
The Avengers is a classic case study in embracing diversity. Each character comes from a different background, with unique abilities and perspectives. Rather than creating conflict, these differences are a source of strength, providing a wider range of solutions to any given problem.
In the realm of product management, teams are also often diverse, including members from different departments, backgrounds, and areas of expertise. Instead of resisting this diversity, successful product managers embrace it, leveraging the varied perspectives to come up with more innovative solutions.
Learn from Loki: Adapt and Overcome
Even Loki, the god of mischief and a recurring antagonist in the Avengers series, has lessons to offer. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances is unmatched. While his intentions are far from ideal, his adaptability is a trait worth emulating.
In the rapidly changing world of product management, being adaptable is crucial. Whether it’s a shift in market trends, a new competitor, or changes in the team, product managers need to be able to pivot quickly and efficiently.
Managing products may not save the universe, but the impact can be groundbreaking. The “Avengers” offer a goldmine of lessons in leadership, teamwork, communication, innovation, diversity, and adaptability - all integral to product management. After all, the beauty of lessons lies in their universality - you never know where your next insight may come from. Today, it comes from the Avengers. Who knows what, or who, it may be tomorrow? Perhaps, you are the hero your product needs. So suit up, fellow Avenger, and lead your product to its Endgame.