By Marty Cagan · svpg.com · LinkedIn
Marty Cagan reflects on a recent article he wrote critiquing the MBA pathology in product management, which he admits backfired. Although the core message was valid, opening the piece with a provocative Elon Musk quote put the readers he meant to coach on the defensive, so many dismissed it. He contrasts this with his CSPO critique, which targeted instructors rather than the practitioners being coached. He frames the episode as a lesson on the coaching mindset described by SVPG colleague Chris Jones, which depends on trust. For product leaders who coach others, the takeaway is that how feedback is delivered can determine whether it is heard at all.
01Key takeaways
- Open feedback with common ground so the audience stays receptive rather than defensive.
- Direct criticism at the people responsible for the problem, not at those who must absorb its effects.
- Feedback that lacks trust can be dismissed entirely, regardless of how valid the underlying point is.
- Before giving coaching, check whether you are in a coaching mindset or venting frustration.
- Frame development areas as universal, such as noting everyone has growth areas, rather than singling out a group.
02Key sections
- Coaching as the purpose of the writing
- Cagan explains that his articles are generally meant to coach product teams and leaders, using teachable moments where possible. This time, the teachable moment is his own misstep.
- Two critical articles, one misfire
- He published critiques of the CSPO and MBA pathologies. The CSPO piece worked because it aimed at ineffective instructors, while the MBA piece aimed at the people who needed coaching.
- Defensiveness undermined the message
- The MBA article opened by putting its audience on the defensive, so readers focused on the opening and missed the coaching points. Cagan notes that he continues recruiting from top MBA programs, a fact his readers overlooked.
- The mindset behind the mistake
- Cagan admits he wrote from frustration after reviewing an MBA curriculum, not from the trust-based coaching mindset Chris Jones describes. He recognizes that his frustration belonged with faculty, not his practitioner audience.
03From the post
“A partnership dedicated to teaching best practices to product teams and product leaders”
04Frameworks mentioned
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.