No matter how many metrics your team moves or promotions you get it’s essential to not let it inflate your ego. Product Management is an exciting role filled with highs and lows, not everyone is cut out for it. Even if you are it’s best as a leader to adopt a deferential mindset and approach, lest you be tempted to claim all the glory when there’s no way a PM can get things done without their team.

Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday which has become a staple among high-performing athletes and even a must-read in some professional sports teams, opened my eyes to the pitfalls of ego. While its teachings have resonated across various fields, I believe they hold particular significance for product managers, where the balance between confidence and humility is crucial.

Stay Grounded and Humble

Holiday, drawing from Stoic principles, highlights how success can warp our reality, inflating our sense of self. In product management, this distorted view can be counterproductive. The Stoic lesson here is to remain humble and open to feedback, qualities essential for adapting to market changes and fostering positive team dynamics.

Perpetual Learning Mindset

Echoing the Stoic belief in continual growth, Holiday warns against the ego-driven illusion of having ‘arrived.’ For product managers, this translates to a commitment to lifelong learning, seeking diverse perspectives, and remaining open to new methodologies. This Stoic-inspired approach ensures we remain innovative and responsive.

Embrace and Learn from Failure

Stoicism teaches resilience in the face of adversity. Holiday urges us to view failure as a stepping stone to success, not a setback. In product management, this means viewing every failure as a learning opportunity, a chance to innovate and refine our strategies.

Practicing Humility in Success

Holiday illustrates that handling success is a greater test of character than navigating failure. Product managers must practice humility in success, acknowledging team efforts, and continuing to set challenging goals. This is essential for sustainable success and for staying true to Stoic ideals of self-awareness and humility.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Ego

In line with Stoic virtues, Holiday identifies various manifestations of ego – arrogance, need for validation, resistance to criticism. In product management, fostering a balanced ego is critical. We must emphasize empathy, collaboration, and mutual respect, staying aligned with Stoic values of community and self-control.

“You’re not as good as you think. You don’t have it all figured out. Stay focused. Do better.” 

Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy

“Ego is the Enemy,” enriched with Stoic wisdom, offers profound lessons for personal and professional development, particularly in product management. These ancient teachings, as interpreted by Holiday, remind us of the importance of humility, continuous learning, and resilience. By embracing these Stoic virtues, we can unlock our full potential as product managers.

Reflect on your own product management experiences. How have Stoic principles, as articulated by Ryan Holiday, influenced your approach? Share your stories and insights below, and let’s explore the impact of these timeless teachings together.