Finding Ikigai, Practicing Kintsugi, and Embracing Japanese Wisdom in your Product Career

On long plane rides, I find myself often reflecting on my career path from starting out as an engineer to becoming a Chief Product Officer (CPO). Not surprisingly I’ve authored several different articles here on LinkedIn on such topics. Upon review, my ramblings have tie ins with ancient Japanese philosophy such as the well-known art of Kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold to highlight its history. Though I didn’t always associate the terms until later, the concepts like Ikigai, Kaizen, and the principles of Zen have shaped my approach to leadership, product development, and personal growth. My journey has been a series of repairs and enhancements, where each challenge has become a golden opportunity for growth and a deeper understanding of myself.

With the help of #AI I’ve collated a few of my recent articles and given them new context in line with these valuable Japanese techniques.

Finding Your Ikigai: Purpose and Passion in Product Leadership

First and foremost, the Japanese concept of Ikigai - "a reason for being" - has been a guiding influence my career. It involves finding the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This intersection has been a compass in guiding my career choices. As product leaders, we must constantly seek to align our passions with market needs and business goals. This alignment not only drives success but also brings genuine satisfaction and purpose to our work.

Embracing Imperfections: The Art of Kintsugi in Product and Life

My transition into product management required more than just technical skills. It demanded a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle and market needs, as I discussed in my article "How to Get into Product Management, and Grow to be a CPO". This journey taught me to embrace imperfections and view failures as integral parts of success. Kintsugi teaches us that brokenness is not an end but a beautiful transformation. This is true in product design & development, where setbacks are opportunities to create something even more valuable.

Learning from Mistakes through Kaizen: My Boo-Boo Log

One crucial tool in embracing these imperfections has been my "boo-boo log," as I detailed in my article, "Err... Human, Why I Keep Boo-Boo Log" This practice is deeply rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen - continuous improvement. Documenting mistakes isn't about dwelling on them but about learning from them. Each entry in the log becomes a guidepost, preventing me from repeating the same errors and contributing to continuous improvement. This approach aligns perfectly with the Kintsugi philosophy: acknowledging and cherishing our flaws.

Self-Care and Kindness: A Human Approach to Leadership

Often overlooked, it’s essential to be kind to ourselves, recognizing that personal well-being is fundamental to professional success. As I discussed in "Self-Care Reminder: Word of Thanks", taking the time to appreciate our efforts and maintain a healthy work-life balance is vital. Experts like Serena H. Huang, Ph.D. often emphasize the importance of self-compassion in leadership and personal growth, which complements the Kintsugi mindset of appreciating the beauty in imperfection. I highly recommend you follow her

Navigating Pressure and Privilege: Cultivating a Growth Mindset

One aspect of my journey has been learning to effectively manage pressure as a privilege, as explored in my article "How to Treat Pressure as Privilege to Unlock Your Potential". Seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and using positions of influence to create positive change has been crucial. This mindset aligns with the philosophy of viewing difficult circumstances as opportunities to become more resilient and impactful.

Mentorship as a Guiding Light: Passing On the Wisdom

Mentorship has played a pivotal role in my journey to the C-suite. As I discuss in "Your Guide to Getting to the C-Suite Via Mentoring", finding experienced mentors and becoming one yourself can provide invaluable guidance and support. The Japanese and other Asian cultures emphasize respect for elders and learning from their wisdom. By passing on our knowledge and experiences, we contribute to the growth of the next generation of product leaders.

The Tesla Effect: Lessons in Prioritization and Focus

My experiences with Tesla have surprisingly influenced my professional life, particularly in the areas of prioritization and focus. As I explored in "7 Ways Tesla Has Made Me Better Husband", the company's relentless focus on specific goals has taught me the value of streamlining efforts and avoiding distractions.

Zen and the Art of Avoiding Feature Bloat

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned as a product manager is the importance of simplicity. This principle is deeply rooted in Zen philosophy, which emphasizes mindfulness and focus. Avoiding unnecessary features and focusing on the core value proposition of a product aligns with the Zen approach of eliminating distractions to achieve clarity, as highlighted in "Zen Art of Avoiding Feature Bloat: Product Manager's Mantra"

Collaboration and Strategy

Effective collaboration between product managers and marketers is crucial for success. My experience highlights the importance of aligning these roles to drive business growth. Furthermore, navigating economic downturns requires strategic planning, as outlined in "6 Ways Product Managers Can Help a Company Thrive in Economic Downturn"

You can do it. The best is yet to come for you!

I hope this article helps those embarking on a similar journey, and provides a reminder that each setback is an opportunity to apply techniques and principles like Kintsugi. But whatever the name, the key is to embrace your challenges, and let them become the gold that strengthens your path forward. Find your Ikigai, practice Kaizen, and cultivate a Zen-like focus. Stay curious, leverage technology to enhance your work, prioritize self-care, seek mentorship, and always seek opportunities for collaboration and growth. Each crack, each failure, is not an end but a chance to become something even more beautiful and resilient. I wish you all the best to not only achieve professional but personal success while finding a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work.

Thank you for reading. I am mindful that many may be struggling given the challenging environment these days. Please do not hesitate to DM me if I can ever help you in any way 🙏

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Direct Links to Articles I’ve written referenced:

• How to Get into Product Management, and Grow to be a CPO
• Err... Human, Why I Keep Boo-Boo Log
• Self-Care Reminder: Word of Thanks
• How to Treat Pressure as a Privilege to Unlock your Potential
• Your Guide to Getting to the C-Suite Via Mentoring
• 7 Ways Tesla Has Made Me Better Husband
• 6 Ways Product Managers Can Help a Company Thrive in Economic Downturn
• Zen Art of Avoiding Feature Bloat: Product Manager's Mantra

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• Does AI Help Us? Or Make Us Lazier Product Managers?
• Prompt Your Way to Product Management Productivity