What can the bystander effect teach us about collaborating with other teams?
Call people out directly in meetings, Slack, Teams, etc.
Here’s how that applies to #productmarketing 👇
The bystander effect teaches us that people are less likely to help when they are in the presence of others.
When we're in a group, it's easier to assume that someone else will step up and do something, so we don't do anything ourselves.
If you apply that thinking to the way you solicit input and feedback in meetings or on Slack today, it’s no surprise that you often get zero response.
For example:
🛑 Here are the latest slides for XYZ? Appreciate any feedback.
🛑 Hey team, how are prospects describing this problem today?
🛑 I’m looking to join some calls with persona X, anyone have any coming up?
I still make this mistake today and the result is usually crickets 🦗
Knowing this, it’s best to call people out directly.
✅ Joseph, Shauna, can I get your feedback on these slides?
✅ How are prospects describing this problem today? Rahim, Mara, what are you both hearing?
✅ I’m looking to join some prospect calls. Anna, James, do you have any coming up?
You can always include a comment to encourage others to join in, like “of course, appreciate other feedback as well,” but you’re more likely to get a response when you call people out directly.
And once bystanders see a dialogue starting, they’re more likely to chime in.
So, next time you need feedback or help on something, save yourself some time and ask people directly.
What do you think?
#marketing #productivity #bestadvice #productivepmm