The Importance of Kindness and User Experience in Achieving Success

The Importance of Kindness and User Experience in Achieving Success

"Mean People Fail." It struck me recently how few of the most successful people I know are mean. There are exceptions, but remarkably few. This observation resonates with the idea that being mean makes you stupid. Fights and conflicts hinder our ability to perform at our best because they are not sufficiently general. Winning is not about attacking; it's about transcending. The same principle applies to startup founders. Those who are mean tend to fail because they cannot attract the best people to work for them. Unless they possess exceptional persuasion skills, mean individuals struggle to convince talented individuals to join their cause. In essence, if you want to build great things, it helps to be driven by a spirit of benevolence.

When we think of successful people from history who weren't ruthless, we often think of mathematicians, writers, and artists. Their motivation was not solely driven by money but by a genuine passion for their craft. This mindset seems to be a common thread among those who have achieved remarkable success. They focus on spreading their ideas, making a positive impact, and leaving a lasting legacy.

Now, let's shift our attention to the importance of user experience in crafting a successful product. In Scott Belsky's article titled "Crafting The First Mile Of Product," he highlights the crucial aspects that determine whether a user will engage with a product or abandon it within the first 15 seconds.

When users interact with a product, they want immediate benefits. They are lazy in the sense that they don't want to invest extra time in something they don't know, vain because they want to look good quickly, and selfish because they prioritize their own needs. Therefore, it is essential to provide an immediate novelty or utility that captures their attention and convinces them to continue using the product.

Explaining a product is the least effective way to engage new users. People don't want to make choices, especially during their initial experience with a product. To ensure a seamless onboarding process, it is best to use familiar terms instead of being overly creative. Users prefer simplicity over complexity, and if a solution is more effective but less creative, it should be prioritized.

The first mile of a user's experience is the top of the funnel for new users, and it should be the most thought-out part of a product, not an afterthought. Allocating a significant portion of energy and resources to the first mile is crucial for any product with aggressive growth aspirations. Even if the user experience for existing users is performing well, it's important to remember that attracting new types of users is the key to sustainable growth. Neglecting the onboarding process and failing to maintain simplicity can lead to stagnation and a loss of potential growth opportunities.