This miracle event (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:1–14) offers a valuable lesson for Product Managers regarding identifying user pain points.
Initially, the disciples recognized the lateness of the hour and the hunger of the crowd, prompting them to consider sending the people home. They had two choices: to prioritize sharing Jesus’ life-changing message or to address the immediate need for food. Ultimately, they decided that providing nourishment was essential at that moment.
However, Jesus perceived the situation differently. He understood that the people not only needed physical sustenance but also required spiritual sustenance.
While the disciples saw an obstacle, Jesus viewed it as an opportunity.
While the disciples viewed it as option to choose from, Jesus saw it as occasion to create!
This disparity in perspective led to different reactions. Those who perceive obstacles tend to avoid them, whereas those who recognize opportunities strive to seize them.
Of course, the disciples are not Jesus, and we are not Jesus too. It is unlikely I can perform a miracle to feed anyone, but the point here is more on the mindset and mentality. I am not sure if that’s a fair comparison, but see how Jesus’ mother dealt with the wedding situation where He turned water into wine.
In the realm of product management, this distinction separates those who excel from those who merely get by.
A Product Manager who merely describes obstacles and chooses between available options is essentially a “manager” who merely “manages.”
A high-performance “Product Manager” possesses vision, takes action, and displays ambition to seize opportunities and create something new. On high-stakes issues, the high-performance product manager is pragmatic enough to understand and empathise, and is someone who is determined enough not to give up and just pick one of the “available” options.
In the field of product management, this differentiation distinguishes those who thrive from those who simply survive.
A Product Manager who merely describes obstacles and selects from the existing choices can be considered a mere “manager” who solely oversees operations.
On the other hand, a high-performance “Product Manager” embodies a proactive mindset, taking decisive actions and exhibiting the ambition to capitalize on opportunities and foster innovation. When confronted with critical challenges, the high-performing product manager demonstrates pragmatism by comprehending and empathizing with the situation, yet is determined and refuses to settle for the convenience of readily available options.
Think about this. Anyone can make a choice when faced with an obstacle with the presented options. It is a logical and natural response that most individuals can handle. But there will be no significant value generated, and in many cases, the value diminished regardless of the choice, because there are “no good options”.
But whoever perceives obstacles as opportunities to improve, improvise, and innovate, will be able to create new value, new propositions, and new ways for people to work and live.
Certainly, we cannot perform miracles like Jesus (unless it is God’s will), and we are not Jesus. Nevertheless, the lesson we learn here is to adopt Jesus’ perspective and see beyond obstacles. We can always learn from Jesus and be a bit more like Him. What would Jesus do? What would Jesus want me to do when faced with an obstacle?