Use ‘Opinions’ to Win: Why Your Product Should Take a Side
Why is it that some products stick in your mind, while others fade away into the sea of sameness? It's usually because they stand for something—they have a bias, a philosophy, and they tell you what they believe right up front. Think about your favorite band or sports team. They don’t try to be everything for everyone. They double down on what makes them special, and their fiercest fans love them for it.
Now, in the world of software or any project, there’s a temptation to be flexible, to keep everyone happy. But eventually, trying to please everyone means you end up pleasing no one. You need to make tough calls: decide what you believe, which features or approaches fit your philosophy, and confidently say no to the rest. Customers, clients, or audience members who don’t like your style will either find another fit, or maybe even grow to appreciate what you stand for.
This approach isn’t just about branding. Cognitive science shows that distinctive ‘opinionated’ offerings help people make decisions faster, form emotional attachments, and get more value out of what they use or buy. Products like the original wiki or Basecamp succeeded because they left out supposedly essential features—they made clear decisions about what mattered, and let users join the ride or hop off at the next stop.
Ultimately, having a distinct point of view is what sets apart remarkable work from everything else. Not everyone will love it, and that’s how you know you’ve made something real.
Carve out your vision today: craft a single sentence that captures your mission, then define three make-or-break qualities. When someone asks you to bend or bloat your work with something that doesn’t align, respectfully decline and share your guiding idea. See how much easier decisions get when you stick to your vision, even if you lose a few fair-weather fans.
What You'll Achieve
Sharpen your identity, reduce decision fatigue, and attract passionate support by having a vision with clear boundaries.
Decide Your Product’s Personality and Defend It
Write a one-sentence vision for your work.
State in one clear sentence what your product, project, or proposal stands for and what it should never become.
List three things you refuse to compromise.
Choose key features or values that define your vision, even if some people will not agree or will walk away.
Say “no” to the next request that doesn't fit your philosophy.
Explain the reason to your user or team with confidence, referring back to your vision statement.
Reflection Questions
- What do I want my work to stand for above all?
- Where have I sacrificed my standards out of fear of losing approval?
- How does it feel to clearly say no to something that doesn’t fit my vision?
- How might focus attract a more engaged audience or user base?
Personalization Tips
- A personal trainer crafts her classes to be music-focused and refuses requests for silent or meditative formats.
- A college application essay boldly argues an unpopular point, with evidence, instead of hedging to please every reader.
Getting Real: The Smarter, Faster, Easier Way to Build a Web Application
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