Care Deeply, Hold Loosely
You need to care deeply enough to build something great. And you need to be ready to let it go tomorrow if the data says so. Both need to be true at the same time.
Care Deeply, Hold Loosely
The paradox: You need to care deeply enough to build something great. And you need to be ready to let it go tomorrow if the data says so. Both need to be true at the same time.
The four failure modes:
- •Too attached: Over-invested in your work, can't move on, take all feedback personally
- •Too detached: No skin in the game, don't care if it ships or gets cut, just pushing tickets
- •Avoidant: Don't want to hear criticism, easier to ignore feedback than deal with it
- •Overly critical: So negative about your own work that you can't grow
The skill: Great PMs navigate between caring deeply and being willing to sunset their ideas. Between seeking improvement and maintaining confidence. You don't resolve these contradictions—you get better at holding both sides.
The question to ask yourself: When was the last time you asked someone where you're wrong? If you can't remember, you're probably too attached. If you ask constantly and spiral every time, you're probably too self-critical.