The Black Box of Product Management: Lessons from Trees and Mother Trees

The Black Box of Product Management: Lessons from Trees and Mother Trees

What does a product manager do, anyway? This is a question that many product managers find themselves pondering. In their role, they are expected to be visionaries, the voice of the customer, and the ones who get things done. But as the industry of technological innovation continues to accelerate, product managers are finding themselves rethinking their assumptions about their role.

Product management is the result of two exponential forces exerted on a company: speed and scale. Speed refers to how quickly a company can bring something to market, while scale pertains to the growth of the company's product, organization, and customer base, which leads to increased complexity. When these two forces are considered together, it becomes clear that a holistic approach is necessary for a company to thrive.

While the CEO is ultimately responsible for thinking holistically about the company, the role of product manager becomes crucial when the CEO reaches their multitasking limits. Product managers possess the core competency of understanding product development and are skilled at identifying problems and working with teams to solve them. They act as the API that facilitates communication within the interconnected network of product development disciplines.

In a similar vein, trees in a forest are also interconnected through a network. Researchers have discovered that trees are linked to neighboring trees through an underground network of fungi. This network, resembling neural networks in the brain, allows trees to share carbon and other important information that contributes to the health of the entire forest.

Around 40% of carbon is transmitted through these fungal networks into neighboring trees. The rest would have dispersed through natural decomposition processes, but some of it is directed right into the neighbors. This sharing of information is crucial for the overall well-being of the forest.

Older trees, often referred to as "mother" or "hub" trees, play a vital role in connecting with younger trees. These mother trees facilitate the growth of seedlings in the understory by passing on carbon, nutrients, and water. This exchange of resources helps the seedlings survive and grow.

It is important to note that all trees and plants have obligate relationships with these fungi, except for a few plant families. The fungi are dependent on the trees for nutrients, as they do not have leaves themselves. This symbiotic relationship allows trees to pass carbon between them and communicate information.

Just as trees age and eventually decline, product managers also face challenges over time. However, the dying process for trees can take decades, during which they pass on energy and information to new seedlings. In the context of product management, it is crucial to allow time for knowledge transfer and the development of new ideas before making drastic changes.

In conclusion, the black box of product management is a complex and interconnected system, much like the underground network of trees and fungi. To navigate this black box successfully, product managers need to understand the importance of holistic thinking, communication, and knowledge transfer. Here are three actionable pieces of advice for product managers:

1. Embrace the role of a visionary and the voice of the customer. Understand the problems that need to be solved and work with your team to find innovative solutions.

2. Foster effective communication within your product development network. Be the API that facilitates the flow of information and ensures that all stakeholders are aligned.

3. Allow time for knowledge transfer and idea development. Just as trees pass on energy and information to new seedlings, give your team the opportunity to learn and grow before making drastic changes.

By incorporating these principles into your product management approach, you can unlock the potential of your team and create products that truly resonate with users.