The Most Precious Thing
A Pseudo-Zen Story
One day, the Pseudo-zen Minister held a feast with other high-rank ministers.
As they were, the Pseudo-zen Minister hummed and asked:
”May you, dear friends, tell me—what is the most precious thing?”
“Money!” said one.
”Honor!” said another.
”Children and family!” said a third.
“And I say…”, stated another, “…that the king is the most important thing. Without his reign—there might have been a total chaos in the country, and none of us would have either money or honor, and perhaps even family and children.”
All ministers nodded and agreed.
Later that year, the Pseudo-zen Minister was travelling the kingdom. He arrived at a small village, where the locals held a humble feast.
The Pseudo-zen Minister asked the attendees:
”Pray tell me, dear friends, tell me—what is the most precious thing?”
“Livestock!” said one.
”Potatoes!” said another.
”Wine!” said a third.
“I say…” stated the Pseudo-zen Minister, “…that the king is the most important thing. “
The attendees burst out laughing.
”The king‽ What…How…‽ Why…he lives in a far, far away palace…
no one have ever seen him at all…!”
There are such organizations, where [higher] Product Management will face customers, be involved in and aware of requirements, commitments, and financial information, but product teams are far away and detached from such considerations.
Agile conduct should allow and ensure product teams’ interactions with customers; when such do not exist—teams’ values, goals, and actions will fail to recognize the most precious…thing…
Excellent