Courage Isn’t Just for Conferences—It’s How We Shape the Future of Products
For the 2024 edition of Product at Heart, we chose the theme of courage. We believe that it takes courage to build, create, and innovate, as well as to learn, challenge, and grow. In other words: It takes courage to be curious. And since the tagline for our event is “A conference for curious product people,” it made sense to encourage both courage and curiosity.
A call to be courageous
In our opening remarks, we asked attendees to step outside of their comfort zones, to have the courage to learn something new, even if it challenged their current way of thinking. We encouraged them to listen to new ideas with an open mind, even if these ideas didn’t immediately align with what they believed or knew. And we challenged them to take the bold step to approach new people, share their thoughts, and ask questions—even the uncomfortable ones.
We believe that Product at Heart is about more than just absorbing information. It's about taking action, pushing yourself, and engaging with others. As a reward for that effort, participants may find new product friends and feel true connection. Courage is a choice, and we believe every one of us had the opportunity to demonstrate it throughout the event.
Keep being courageous beyond the conference experience
The theme of courage is not only a great framing for everyone’s conference experience. It’s a useful lens for our everyday work as product people.
Product managers play a crucial role in shaping the world through the technology we build. We are at the heart of innovation, and the decisions we make today will shape the society we leave for tomorrow.
We closed out the day by talking about a concept you may be familiar with—the innovation S-curve. As we move through each stage of development, from slow beginnings to exponential growth, technology continues to improve our lives. We are living longer, healthier, and more secure lives than at any point in human history.
But, we must also acknowledge the societal ‘S-curves’ where we see declines. Misinformation is thriving, distrust in science is growing, and polarizing ideologies are on the rise. And as much as we hate to admit it, technology—especially in areas like social media and algorithmic biases—has played a part in this decline.
However, we believe there’s hope, and a way to change that trajectory. Technology isn’t inherently good or bad; it’s how we, as product people, choose to build and deploy it. With courage, we can create technology that drives positive social change. We can combat biases in AI, develop systems that promote fairness, and ensure that innovation works for everyone, not just a select few.
Now, you may be thinking: 'But I don’t have that much power or influence in my company, in my product, or in my role.' And yes, that might feel true at times. But more often than not, your products will outlast your expectations, features will be used far more frequently than initially anticipated, and small products can grow into something with a much bigger audience. And before you know it, that 'quickly added ChatGPT feature' may actually end up amplifying biases hidden within, and that 'we’ll build our own model eventually' moment may never come. Instead, the patchwork solution you initially released may end up becoming permanent.
So, don’t underestimate your influence. Trust your product instincts, stand up for what you believe in, and have the courage to make a difference.
To help you take courageous action in your everyday work, here are some small but powerful acts to try:
Share your thoughts: If something doesn’t sit right with you or you have a different perspective, consider sharing it—even if it’s not the popular opinion. You might provide the fresh insight that’s needed.
Seek clarity: If things are unclear—whether it’s around the vision, strategy, or even a meeting discussion—it could be helpful to ask for clarification. Sometimes, the questions you ask bring the clarity the whole team needs.
Support others: If you notice someone being treated unfairly or left out of a conversation, think about stepping in or advocating for them. Small gestures of support can make a big difference.
Acknowledge mistakes: Mistakes happen to all of us. Being open about them can build trust and create opportunities for learning.
And we know this might be hard at times. But courage isn't about the absence of fear; it’s about overcoming it. Let’s all remember the power we have both right now and for any future product decisions we make.
Want to explore even more of the content from Product at Heart? Check out our blog and video archives and let your curiosity guide you to whatever topic you choose to explore next!
