7 Things Basketball Taught Me About Product Management

I've been playing basketball since I was 13. At that age, I was already around 1.80 meters tall, which made me a natural fit for the game. Over the years, I played for different clubs and even managed to finish first in the league once. I was told that only around 10% of athletes in sports leagues ever finish first in their career, so I'm grateful to have experienced this.

Looking back, I’ve realized that basketball taught me many valuable lessons. Those lessons that have proven crucial in my professional life, particularly in product management and product leadership.

In both basketball and product management, it's easy to get caught up in the end goals. Whether it's winning a championship or launching a successful product, the final outcome often seems to take center stage. But real success, in both arenas, comes from focusing on the process that gets you there.

1. Focus on What Really Matters

When I step onto the basketball court, I’m not thinking about the final score. The same goes for the start of a season or a tournament. I don’t stress over every single game ahead. The team’s focus is always on the present, taking it one game at a time, one possession at a time. This mindset is crucial, not just in basketball but in product management too.

In basketball, it all boils down to two simple tasks:

• When the other team has the ball, stop them from scoring.
• When your team has the ball, score points.

If you can do these two things well right from the start, you’ll likely find yourself 10 points or more ahead before long. The challenge then is to maintain that discipline and consistency until the game ends. This principle is just as crucial in product management. Instead of getting lost in all the possible details or future scenarios, focus on the key objectives. Identify what truly matters at each stage, whether it’s delivering value to the customer or solving a critical issue, and give it your full attention. By zeroing in on the essentials, you ensure that your team stays aligned and effective, driving progress where it counts the most.

2. Don’t Look Back, Adapt and Move Forward

In basketball, no two games are ever the same. Opponents bring different strengths, weaknesses, and strategies, which means you constantly need to adjust your game plan. Whether it's switching up defensive tactics, changing plays on the fly, or adapting to the pace of the game, flexibility is key. The ability to read the situation and respond quickly is often what separates good teams from great ones.

What happens when you’re more than 10 points behind?

The key isn’t to fixate on how you ended up there but to focus on what you can do next. Get the next stop, make the next basket. With every small victory, the gap narrows from 10 points to 8, from 8 to 6... and before you know it, you’re back in the game.

This approach is just as important in product management. When a project falls behind or a product feature isn’t performing as expected, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But instead of getting stuck on what went wrong, the focus should be on what you can do next to improve the situation.

Change is the only constant in life. As markets change, user needs evolve, and unforeseen challenges arise, a product manager must be able to adapt to these changes, revising strategies and approaches as needed. Sticking rigidly to a plan when circumstances shift can lead to missed opportunities or even failure. Just like in basketball, success in product management often comes down to how well you can adapt and overcome obstacles as they arise. Staying resilient and focusing on the next small win is what gets you back on track.

3. Build Big Goals with Small Steps

Basketball has taught me the importance of breaking down big challenges into manageable steps. Winning a game, or even a championship, isn’t about a single moment of brilliance; it’s about consistently executing simple principles throughout the game. Whether you’re ahead or behind, the game isn’t over until it’s over, and staying focused on the immediate task is what drives success.

A crucial part of this process is being self-aware and mindful. At any point in the game, it’s important to check in with yourself and your team. If you’re in the lead by many points, don’t get complacent, stay disciplined and maintain your focus. If you’ve missed a few shots, don’t let nerves take over. Instead, remember your strengths and keep executing your plan.

Being fully present in the moment and aware of where you stand is essential for making the right decisions and knowing what to do next.

In product management, this means setting ambitious goals but approaching them step by step, with constant self-awareness. Regularly assess your progress, stay mindful of your team’s position, and adjust as necessary. Stick to clear, straightforward strategies while remaining flexible enough to adapt as needed. By breaking down large objectives into smaller, actionable tasks, and staying aware of your progress and challenges, you can maintain momentum and make steady progress. Each step brings you closer to the big goal, and it’s the cumulative effect of these small wins that leads to ultimate success.

4. We Are Better Together

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in basketball is the importance of teamwork. My coach used to say:

Passing the ball is faster than dribbling and running. No matter how fast your opponent is, if you pass the ball around your team quickly, eventually, someone will be free to score. The key here is patience and trust in your teammates.

This principle applies directly to product management. Collaboration and communication within a team are crucial. If you hold onto ideas or tasks for too long and try to do everything on your own, you not only slow down progress but also risk losing the trust and support of your colleagues. Just as in basketball, if you don’t pass the ball, don’t be surprised if your teammates stop passing it to you. In a team, everyone has to work together, and by doing so, the team becomes stronger than the sum of its parts. After all, there’s no "I" in team.

5. Communicate to Win

One of the most striking lessons I learned from watching top professional teams training before us, like the FC Bayern Munich Basketball Team II, is the importance of communication on the court. It was incredible to watch how they constantly “yell” at each other during defense, using terms like "Switch," "Stay," "Deny," "Help," "Recover," "Box Out," "Back," "Cut," "Ball," and more.

These terms help players coordinate their movements and strategies, ensuring everyone is on the same page during both offensive and defensive plays. Effective communication is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must for team success.

In basketball, teams that communicate early, directly, and often are usually the ones that succeed. Silence, especially on defense, often leads to mistakes and, ultimately, losses. The same principle applies in product management. Clear, consistent communication within a team is essential for ensuring that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

Whether you’re in a meeting, working on a project, or navigating a tough situation, open communication helps to prevent misunderstandings, align efforts, and foster a sense of unity. Like a well-coordinated defense on the basketball court, a team that communicates well in the workplace is more likely to succeed.

6. Walk It Like You Talk It

Recently, I began coaching U8 and U10 teams, which gave me new insights into leadership and personal development. At this young age, leading by example is crucial. You can tell them a lot, but if you can’t demonstrate it and let them experience it, they won’t truly grasp it. Kids, like team members, are quick to notice when actions don’t match words.

This lesson is just as relevant when leading a team in product management. You can talk about best practices and goals, but if you don’t embody those principles and show them in action, your team might struggle to follow. Leading by example not only builds trust but also sets a standard that inspires others to elevate their own performance.

7. Getting Better, One Training at a Time

Training is another critical aspect. The game itself is just a reflection of the work put in during practice. What’s more important is that the team consistently shows up for training, works together, and communicates openly about what’s going well and what needs to be improved. The goal is to get better from training to training. The success in games is just the end result of this ongoing process.

In product management, this means fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Encourage your team to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses, to work consistently on honing their skills, and to see each project or sprint as an opportunity to grow. Success in product launches or features isn’t just about the final result; it’s the culmination of all the hard work, learning, and development that happens along the way.

Conclusion: A Game Plan for Success

The lessons I’ve learned on the basketball court have directly shaped how I approach product management. By focusing on the process, handling setbacks with a clear head, embracing teamwork, leading by example, and committing to continuous improvement, you can navigate the challenges of product management with the same determination and focus that lead to success on the court.