How My European Adventure Taught Me Valuable Product Management Lessons
I'm back with 5 simple lessons that my last trip taught me the hard way. Also, don't miss the cool photo gallery at the end.
Have you ever noticed how life has a way of teaching us lessons when we least expect it?
That's exactly what happened during my recent three-week vacation to Europe. What started as a trip to explore the beauty of Italy and Spain turned into a crash course in product management principles.
It's hard for me not to relate these valuable lessons to product management, so I'll share with you some of these life-saving lessons.👇
1️⃣ Lesson 1: Flexibility is Your Best Friend
👁️ Picture this: You're all packed and ready for your dream European getaway. You've meticulously planned every detail, from your first tapas in Madrid to your last gelato in Venice. But then, life throws you a curveball. My partner's passport issue led to a missed flight, a lost stay in Madrid, and a domino effect on our carefully crafted itinerary. Ouch! 😣
Sound familiar, product managers? Just like when you're developing a product, over-planning can sometimes be your downfall. A rigid system leaves no room for the unexpected, and in both travel and product development, the unexpected is inevitable.
We even got sick during the trip! 🤧 Fortunately, my partner had a backup plan and insurance, so that didn't stop us. Prevention can be your best ally.
💡 The takeaway: Build flexibility into your plans. Whether it's a product roadmap or a vacation itinerary, leave room for pivots and adjustments. Your ability to adapt quickly can turn a potential disaster into an opportunity for innovation.
2️⃣ Lesson 2: Keep Your Cool Under Pressure
Missed flights, lost reservations, and the stress of navigating a foreign country can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. But here's where the true test of a product manager (and a savvy traveler) comes in: how do you handle the pressure?
I learned that letting frustration take over only clouds your judgment. Of course, as a normal human being, I failed at this. I was in shock. Not just because I lost money, but because days earlier I tried to prevent such a situation with my partner.
Despite the circumstances, we focus on finding solutions. Divide and conquer. So we rerouted our trip, found new accommodations and ended up discovering hidden gems we would have otherwise missed!
💡 PMs, take note: When faced with unexpected challenges or setbacks in your product development journey, a clear mind is your most valuable asset. Focus on problem-solving rather than dwelling on what went wrong (even if it is difficult!).
3️⃣ Lesson 3: Trust and Delegate
Traveling with a partner taught me a valuable lesson in trust and delegation. There were times when I had to let go of control and trust my partner's decisions, whether it was choosing a restaurant or navigating through a new city.
This mirrors the dynamics of a product team perfectly. As a product manager, you can't (and shouldn't) do everything yourself. Trusting your team members' expertise and delegating tasks is crucial for success.
Besides, no one likes to be around someone who controls everything!
💡 The lesson: Build a strong team, foster trust, and learn to let go. Your product (and your vacation) will be better for it.
4️⃣ Lesson 4: Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize
With limited time in each city, my partner and I often found ourselves at a crossroads. Should we visit the Colosseum or explore the Vatican Museums? Take a gondola ride or wander through St. Mark's Square?
This constant need to prioritize reminded me of the tough decisions product managers face daily. Just as we couldn't see everything in Italy, you can't include every feature in your product launch.
💡 The key takeaway: Learn to prioritize effectively. Focus on what brings the most value, whether it's to your travel experience or your product's users. Remember, sometimes less is more.
5️⃣ Lesson 5: Budget Wisely or Risk the Whole Project
As our trip progressed, I quickly realized that managing our travel budget was just as crucial as managing our itinerary. Those extra gelatos in Venice and impromptu tapas tours in Madrid started to add up, and suddenly, our carefully planned budget was looking a bit stretched. 💸
This scenario is all too familiar in the world of product management. Just as running out of money halfway through a trip can cut your adventure short, poor budget management in product development can derail an entire project.
💡 The critical lesson here: Always keep a close eye on your resources. In travel, as in product management, it's essential to allocate your budget wisely across all phases of the project.
How These Lessons Made Me Better
After reflecting on this adventure, I realize that these experiences have profoundly impacted my professional growth.
1. Embracing Accountability 🫡
The trip made me aware of the importance of being responsible and accountable for results. When things went awry—like missing our flight due to passport issues—there was no project manager or team lead to fall back on. It was up to us to fix the situation and salvage our vacation.
This experience reinforced the importance of owning both successes and failures in my role as a product manager.
I’ve become more proactive in identifying potential risks and taking responsibility for mitigating them. When issues arise, I’m quicker to acknowledge them and focus on finding solutions rather than spreading this blame.
In my opinion, I find this easier at work than in my personal life. Interesting, isn't it? Definitely, something I need to improve from now on.
2. Thriving Under Pressure 🦋
Perhaps the most valuable skill I honed during this trip was the ability to focus under stress and uncertainty. From navigating unfamiliar cities to dealing with unexpected changes in our plans, every day brought new challenges that required clear thinking and quick decision-making.
Especially, when it gets dark super early and have less hours in a day! ⏾
I take great pride in understanding public transportation in all the cities we visited. Whether it was by boat in Venice, by bus in Rome or by train in Barcelona, I adapted to different systems, languages, symbols and limitations to get where I needed to go.
In the fast-paced world of product development, unexpected issues and last-minute changes are par for the course. This trip has equipped me with improved stress management skills! 😅
Now that I'm back in the office this week, when one of the developers contacted me stressed about adding a last minute change to the release, I was able to keep my composure, think critically and lead him to effective options.
Wrapping Up
As I reflect on my European adventure, I'm struck by how closely the challenges of travel mirror those of product management. Both require flexibility, cool-headedness, trust in others, sharp prioritization skills, and wise budget management.
The next time you find yourself facing a product management challenge, remember:
💪 Build flexibility into your plans
🧘♀️ Keep a clear head when facing setbacks
🤝 Trust your team and delegate
⬆️ Prioritize ruthlessly
💰 Manage your budget wisely
These lessons can save your life in difficult situations and make you more effective on the job.
Next time life throws you a curveball, whether in your professional or personal life, embrace it. You never know what valuable lessons you might learn along the way.
Have you ever had a similar experience where life taught you unexpected professional lessons? Share your stories in the comments below. After all, we're all on this journey of continuous learning together! 📖
Before closing, I would like to share with you a little bit of this experience, I hope you enjoy it!








