“If you move a tree it dies but if you move a person he thrives.”
- Peter Dang's father
Moving People Thrive
by Peter Dang on June 22, 2025
This powerful metaphor contrasts the fragility of plants with the adaptability of humans, highlighting how change and new environments foster human growth rather than harm it.
Core Meaning
- Adaptability as strength: Unlike trees that develop deep roots in one place, humans can flourish when transplanted to new environments
- Growth through change: Exposure to new contexts creates learning opportunities that strengthen us
- Psychological resilience: Our ability to thrive amid change is a uniquely human advantage
- Mobility as opportunity: Movement between different environments isn't just survivable—it's beneficial
Why This Matters In Product
- Career development: Product professionals who experience different companies, industries, and challenges develop broader perspectives and skills
- Intellectual flexibility: Moving between different product contexts prevents stagnation and encourages fresh thinking
- Diverse experiences: Working across different domains builds pattern recognition that improves product intuition
- Comfort with discomfort: The best product thinkers embrace unfamiliar territory rather than clinging to comfortable routines
How To Apply
For leaders:
- Encourage team rotations and cross-functional experiences to develop more versatile product thinkers
- Value candidates with diverse backgrounds who bring fresh perspectives
- Create psychological safety that makes "transplanting" less stressful
For individuals:
- Seek opportunities that push you into unfamiliar territory rather than optimizing for comfort
- Recognize that career changes and new challenges are opportunities for growth, not threats
- Build your identity around adaptability rather than domain-specific expertise
The quote reminds us that our capacity to thrive in new environments is a uniquely human strength that product professionals should actively cultivate.