Great product leaders aren’t defined by their roadmaps, but by the decisions that shape them. Roadmaps shift. Markets change. But decision quality compounds over time.

One useful lens comes from Jeff Bezos: the idea of one-way vs. two-way doors.

  • One-way doors are irreversible. Once you step through, it’s costly to turn back. These require deliberation, diverse perspectives, and often leadership involvement.

  • Two-way doors are reversible. If the decision doesn’t work out, you can step back and try another approach. These should be made quickly, at the level closest to the problem.

The trap many organizations fall into is treating every decision like a one-way door. Endless alignment meetings, analysis paralysis, and slow execution follow. The result: competitors outpace you, not because they’re smarter, but because they’re faster at learning.

This is where empowerment matters. Teams should own most two-way door decisions. Leaders should focus on the few one-way doors that truly shape the company’s trajectory. A culture that understands this distinction builds speed without recklessness.

The shift isn’t about perfect decisions. It’s about building a system where decisions are made at the right level, with the right speed, using the right lens.

The best product leaders aren’t those who never make mistakes. They’re the ones who know which mistakes are reversible—and are willing to make them quickly.

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