In-Group bias in Product Management is something that all teams face but is rarely discussed in a formal way.
-> What is In-Group Bias?
It is when you only listen to people within your team or company for feedback and ignore external perspectives.
-> Why Is This a Problem?
Sticking to your team’s viewpoints can blind you to potential gaps or opportunities that outsiders might see. No new insights, no growth!
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, companies that actively seek external feedback are 21% more likely to beat the industry average in customer satisfaction scores.
-> Personal Experience
I once led a team that built an e-learning platform. We all thought the user interface was straightforward. When we finally did a focus group with real users, we discovered it was not as intuitive as we thought. 60% found the course access navigation confusing, and we were losing potential sales.
-> Actionable Tips
- Talk to Your Customers: Regularly arrange focus groups, surveys, or one-on-one interviews.
- Analyze Data: Look at user behaviour analytics to validate your assumptions.
- External Peer Review: Have people outside your immediate team review the product.
- Be Open to Change: Be willing to pivot based on what you learn.
Do not let In-Group Bias limit your product’s potential. Break that internal echo chamber and allow the external feedback in.
Thoughts?
#Leadership #Product #ProductManagement #ProductStrategy