Product Managers play a vital role in almost everything we use. With this privilege comes a profound responsibility to ensure that the products we create and oversee are not only innovative and profitable but also ethical and beneficial to society.
Just as physicians pledge to "do no harm" and place the interests of their patients above all else, product managers must embrace a similar dedication to the ethical, responsible, and empathetic development of products that are inclusive, enrich lives, safeguard privacy, and foster positive societal impact. This oath represents a call to action, reminding product managers of their profound influence and the ethical responsibilities that come with it. It challenges them to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the greater good.
Hippocratic Oath Rewritten for Product Managers
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians product managers in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of sick,our customers, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overselling and profiting off of them.
I will remember that there is art to medicine product management as well as science, and that empathy, warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug. products or experiences we build.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery customer’s benefit.
I will respect the privacy of my patients customers, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death value and harm. If it is given me to save a life provide value, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life do harm; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will remember that I do not serve a customer with a problem of hunger, need for a ride, money, etc., but I serve a real human being, whose problem may affect the person, their family, their financial stability, their physical or mental wellness, their identity, reputation or a myriad of other things. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for them.
I will prevent disease harm whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, be respected while I live, and be remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience healing those who seek my help. the joy of providing value to my customers.
First do no harm, and treat all customers with patients with respect and professionalism. empathy and inclusion.