Stoicism for Product Managers – We live in a world of constant change, disruption, and unpredictability. As product managers, we’re tasked with charting a course through ambiguity, making tough decisions, and delivering value to our customers while navigating shifting market conditions, evolving user needs, and emerging technologies.
It’s no easy feat, and it often requires us to tap into deep reserves of resilience, focus, and equanimity.
This is where the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism can be an invaluable ally.
Stoicism, which emerged in Athens around the 3rd century BC, is a philosophy focused on cultivating inner peace, self-control, and perseverance in the face of life’s inevitable adversities. While its origins may be ancient, the Stoic principles of embracing what we can control, accepting what we cannot, and maintaining perspective and tranquility amidst turmoil are profoundly relevant to the modern product manager.
In this post, we’ll explore how the timeless wisdom of Stoicism can equip us with the mental fortitude, clarity, and sound judgment required to thrive as product leaders in an ever-changing world.
Stoicism for Product Managers
The Inner Citadel: Mastering Your Mind
“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Marcus Aurelius
One of the core tenets of Stoicism is the notion that while we cannot control external events, we can control how we respond to them. This principle is encapsulated in the Stoic concept of the “inner citadel” – the idea that we each possess an impregnable fortress of the mind, a place of refuge where we can find peace and maintain our composure, no matter what storms rage around us.
As product managers, we’re constantly bombarded by external pressures – shifting requirements, tight deadlines, stakeholder demands, market disruptions, and more. It’s easy to get swept up in the chaos, to react impulsively, to lose our cool.
But by cultivating our “inner citadel,” by training our minds to remain calm and focused amidst turmoil, we can respond to challenges with clarity, wisdom, and poise.
Epictetus, one of the great Stoic philosophers, wrote:
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.”
This idea resonates powerfully in the world of product management, where our perception of events and our interpretation of data can heavily influence our decisions and actions.
By developing a Stoic mindset, we can learn to separate objective reality from our subjective interpretations, to challenge our assumptions, and to respond to situations with equanimity rather than being swept away by our emotional reactions.
Embracing the Dichotomy of Control
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control.” – Epictetus
One of the most transformative concepts in Stoicism is the “dichotomy of control” – the idea that we should focus our energy on what we can control and accept with equanimity what we cannot.
As product managers, we operate in a sphere of constant uncertainty. Market conditions, customer needs, competitive landscapes – these are all largely outside our control. What we can control, however, is how we respond to these external forces.
We can control our preparation, our process, our decision-making frameworks, our communication strategies, and our commitment to delivering value to our customers.
By embracing the dichotomy of control, we can avoid wasting energy on factors beyond our influence and instead channel our efforts into the areas where we can make a tangible impact.
As Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher, advised:
“What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.”
Rather than lamenting circumstances beyond our control, we can focus our attention and energy on the choices and actions within our power, approaching each challenge with purpose, clarity, and resilience.
Amor Fati: Embracing Your Path
“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.” – Marcus Aurelius
At the heart of Stoicism lies the concept of “amor fati” – a love and acceptance of one’s fate, a willingness to embrace whatever life brings with equanimity and gratitude.
For product managers, this principle can be transformative.
In our fast-paced, constantly evolving domain, we’re bound to encounter setbacks, roadblocks, and unexpected challenges. Projects get delayed, features get deprioritized, and plans get upended – it’s an inevitable part of the journey.
The Stoic approach is not to rail against these challenges, but to accept them as part of the natural ebb and flow of life, to view them as opportunities for growth and learning, and to maintain a sense of perspective and gratitude amidst the turmoil.
As Marcus Aurelius eloquently stated:
“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”
By embracing the unpredictable nature of our work with a spirit of “amor fati,” we can cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a sense of inner peace that will serve us well as we navigate the ever-shifting landscape of product management.
The Art of Memento Mori
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day.” – Seneca
In Stoicism, the practice of “memento mori” – literally “remember that you must die” – is a powerful reminder to live with purpose, clarity, and appreciation for the present moment.
For product managers, this philosophy can be a potent antidote to the trap of short-term thinking and reactive decision-making.
It’s all too easy, in the throes of daily fires and pressing deadlines, to lose sight of the bigger picture, to sacrifice long-term strategy for short-term expediency.
But by embracing the Stoic principle of “memento mori,” we can cultivate a sense of urgency and focus that compels us to act with intentionality, to prioritize what truly matters, and to make decisions that will stand the test of time.
As Seneca advised:
“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future.”
By living with an awareness of our mortality, we can resist the temptation to procrastinate, to get mired in the trivial, or to sacrifice our principles for fleeting gains.
Instead, we can approach each day, each decision, and each interaction with a sense of purpose and presence, ever mindful of the limited time we have to make a lasting impact.
Negative Visualization: Fortifying Resilience
“Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness – all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil.” – Marcus Aurelius
One of the most powerful – and counterintuitive – practices in Stoicism is the technique of “negative visualization,” in which we intentionally contemplate potential adversities and misfortunes.
For product managers, this exercise can be a potent tool for building resilience, preparing for contingencies, and maintaining equanimity in the face of setbacks.
By deliberately visualizing potential challenges – a product launch that falls flat, a critical bug that slips through, a key stakeholder who becomes disengaged – we can strip these events of their power to rattle us when (not if) they occur.
We can plan our responses, fortify our resolve, and develop contingency plans, all while cultivating a mindset of calm acceptance that these challenges are simply part of the natural ebb and flow of our work.
As Marcus Aurelius advised:
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
By using negative visualization to confront our fears and anticipate potential obstacles, we can develop mental fortitude and emotional resilience to weather any storm that comes our way.
Memento Vivere: Remembering to Live
While Stoicism emphasizes cultivating inner tranquility and accepting life’s challenges with equanimity, it is not a philosophy of detachment or apathy.
Rather, it encourages us to embrace life fully, to engage with the world around us, and to find joy and fulfillment in the present moment.
This principle, known as “memento vivere” (remember to live), is a powerful reminder for product managers to balance our pursuit of impact and excellence with an appreciation for the journey itself.
As Seneca wrote:
“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.” – Seneca
In the relentless pursuit of delivering value, hitting targets, and driving impact, it’s all too easy for product managers to lose sight of the simple joys and sources of meaning that enrich our lives and our work.
By embracing the Stoic principle of “memento vivere,” we can cultivate a spirit of presence, gratitude, and appreciation for the journey itself – the creative process, the relationships we forge, the problems we solve, and the growth we experience along the way.
We can find fulfillment not just in the outcomes we achieve, but in the act of showing up fully, engaging wholeheartedly, and savoring each moment as it unfolds.
As Marcus Aurelius reminds us:
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
By remembering to live, to find wonder and appreciation in the present, we can imbue our work with a sense of purpose, vitality, and joyful engagement – qualities that will not only enhance our own well-being but also inspire those around us.
The View from Above: Cultivating Perspective
“The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Marcus Aurelius
One of the most potent tools in the Stoic arsenal is the practice of cultivating a “view from above” – a sense of perspective that transcends our immediate circumstances and allows us to see the bigger picture.
For product managers, this skill is invaluable.
In the thick of daily fires, shifting priorities, and relentless demands, it’s all too easy to lose sight of our larger vision, to get mired in the tactics and lose track of the strategy.
But by cultivating a Stoic perspective, we can step back and view our work through a wider lens, reminding ourselves of our higher purpose, our guiding principles, and the enduring impact we seek to create.
Epictetus captures this idea beautifully:
“Keep this thought at the forefront when you wake up in the morning and all day long: we were born for the great, what is sublime and exalted; the mean, the petty, the trite is beneath our notice.”
As product leaders, we have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to shape the products, experiences, and technologies that will profoundly impact countless lives.
By maintaining a “view from above,” a perspective grounded in our larger mission and the enduring principles that guide us, we can resist getting lost in the weeds, maintain our focus on what truly matters, and approach each challenge and decision with a sense of purpose and clarity.
The Art of Askesis: Cultivating Virtue
At its core, Stoicism is not just a philosophy for weathering adversity – it is a path to cultivating virtue, wisdom, and a life well-lived.
This pursuit of virtue, known as “askesis” in Stoic practice, is a continual process of self-examination, self-improvement, and striving to embody the highest ideals of human excellence.
For product managers, this ethos of constant growth and self-mastery can be a powerful guide as we navigate the ever-evolving complexities of our domain.
Seneca captures the essence of Askesis:
“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”
In our pursuit of product excellence, it’s not just about the outcomes we achieve, the features we ship, or the metrics we move – it’s about the virtues we embody along the way.
Do we approach our work with integrity, humility, and a commitment to serving the greater good?
Do we cultivate wisdom, foresight, and sound judgment in our decision-making?
Do we foster resilience, equanimity, and grace under pressure?
The path of askesis compels us to continually hone these virtues, to hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of excellence, and to strive not just for professional success, but for a life well-lived – a life defined by purpose, principle, and an enduring legacy of positive impact.
As Marcus Aurelius reminds us:
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”
By embracing the Stoic ethos of Askesis, we can transcend the narrow confines of our roles and embrace the broader pursuit of cultivating the timeless virtues that will not only elevate our work but enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.
The Role of the Product Manager as Stoic Guide
As product managers, we play a unique role within our organizations – one that often requires us to embody the very principles of Stoicism that we seek to apply in our work.
We must navigate ambiguity, maintain composure amidst chaos, and make sound decisions in the face of incomplete information and competing priorities.
In many ways, we are the “Stoic guides” for our teams and stakeholders, modeling the clarity, focus, and equanimity that enable us to chart a steady course through uncertainty.
This is no small responsibility, but it is one that the teachings of Stoicism can help us embrace with grace and wisdom.
Like the Stoic philosophers of old, we must strive to embody the virtues we espouse – resilience, integrity, humility, and a commitment to serving the greater good.
We must cultivate an “inner citadel” of composure and self-mastery, maintaining our poise and presence even as storms rage around us.
We must embrace the dichotomy of control, focusing our energy on what we can influence and accepting with equanimity what lies beyond our sphere of influence.
And we must maintain a “view from above,” reminding ourselves and our teams of our larger purpose, our guiding principles, and the enduring impact we seek to create.
In doing so, we not only elevate our own work and our own lives – we inspire those around us to embody these same virtues, creating a ripple effect of clarity, purpose, and principled excellence that can transform our organizations and our products.
As Epictetus reminds us:
“If you want to make progress, put up with being perceived as ignorant or a fool… Allow people to think of you as they please.”
By living and leading as Stoic guides, we may not always be understood or appreciated in the moment – but we plant the seeds of enduring wisdom, resilience, and virtuous leadership that will bear fruit long into the future.
Conclusion: Stoicism for Product Managers
In a world of constant flux, disruptive forces, and unforeseen challenges, the ancient philosophy of Stoicism offers product managers a powerful framework for navigating uncertainty with clarity, resilience, and sound judgment.
By cultivating an “inner citadel” of composure and self-mastery, by embracing the dichotomy of control, by finding serenity in the practice of “amor fati,” and by maintaining a transcendent “view from above,” we can approach our work with a sense of purpose, principle, and unwavering commitment to creating products that better the lives of our users.
The path of Stoicism is not an easy one – it requires constant self-examination, a willingness to confront our weaknesses and biases, and a steadfast commitment to embodying the highest virtues of human excellence.
But for those willing to embrace this journey, the rewards are profound: inner peace, unshakable resilience, and the profound fulfillment that comes from living a life in service of enduring principles and a larger purpose.
As we navigate the ever-shifting landscapes of product management, market disruption, and technological change, may the timeless wisdom of Stoicism be our anchor, our compass, and our guide – empowering us to lead with courage, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to creating products that uplift humanity.