My Journey as a Product Owner

Being a product owner this past year has been a wild ride full of highs, lows, and lessons that have shaped me both professionally and personally. There’s no magic formula for becoming the “perfect” product owner, but I’m here to share my journey, including the wins, the struggles, and the mindset that has kept me going. My hope? To inspire you to believe that you can navigate your challenges and come out stronger.

Credit: Felipe Guimaraes and Aela Team

A quick bit about my role: I’m not just a product owner; I also lead UX at my company. Wearing both hats means I’m the glue connecting business, UX, and tech teams, balancing their needs to bring our product to life.

Being a product owner is no easy task. It demands a mix of skills, broad knowledge, sharp communication, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. But what sets a great product owner apart is owning the mission to maximize the product’s value. You’re not just managing tasks; you’re a visionary, crafting something that makes a real impact in the market.

Like most product owners, I’ve faced my share of obstacles—solving daily problems, addressing business needs, incorporating customer feedback, and still carving out time for my family. Through it all, I’ve challenged myself to stay optimistic, striving to grow as a teammate, father, son, and husband.

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Here are the six key attributes that have helped me overcome challenges and keep pushing forward:

1. Communication: The Heart of Collaboration
   Communication is everything. As a product owner, I’m constantly facilitating updates to stakeholders, aligning teams, and, yes, sitting through a lot of meetings. Sometimes, those meetings get heated. Frustrations flare, and it feels like things are unraveling. That’s where clear, open communication saves the day. I’ve learned to listen with an open mind, give straightforward directions, and keep things light to maintain momentum. My mantra? We’re all in this together, so let’s keep the vibe upbeat and focused. A little humour goes a long way in turning tense moments into productive ones.
   
   

2. Problem-Solving: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
   My role means I’m bombarded with problems big and small from every direction. Initially, this felt overwhelming, like a daily tsunami of problems. But I shifted my mindset: problems aren’t roadblocks; they’re chances to grow. Whether I’m playing mediator for team conflicts or tackling solo challenges no one else can help with, I approach each issue with curiosity and optimism. It’s like being part psychiatrist, part strategist, but solving those problems has made me a better leader and a more effective teammate.
   
   

3. Focus on Goals: Keep the Big Picture in Sight
   With multiple projects and tasks pulling me in every direction, it’s easy to lose focus. Our fast-paced world doesn’t help priorities shift daily, and it can feel like a mental marathon. To stay grounded, I step back regularly to revisit the big picture. Checking the customer feedback loop is a game-changer; early adopters’ insights often reveal what’s working and what’s not. I’ve been surprised to learn that features I thought needed work were user favorites, while “perfect” areas had room for improvement. Keeping goals front and centre helps me cut through the noise and stay on track.
   
   

4. Effective Decisions: Less Overthinking, More Action
   We make countless decisions every day, and I’ll admit not all of mine have been stellar. But I’ve learned a few tricks to make decisions stick. First, I got comfortable saying “no.” You can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. Second, I lean on my team, delegating tasks and trusting their expertise. It’s humbling to admit I don’t have all the answers, but teamwork fills those gaps. Finally, I stopped trying to do it all at once. Each obstacle feels like a mountain, but I’ve learned to take small, deliberate steps with my team to chip away at it. Slow progress is still progress, and it works.
   
   

5. Maximize Value: Obsess Over Impact
   Let’s be real: work-life balance as a product owner is tricky. My mind is always buzzing with questions: How can the product be better? How do we outpace competitors? How do we deliver maximum value to customers? These thoughts don’t clock out at 5 p.m. But obsessing over value isn’t about overthinking it’s about evaluating results. My team and I analyze data against our goals to see where we stand. This clarity lets us fine-tune our approach or pivot entirely to streamline and improve. It’s hard work, but seeing the impact makes it worth it.
   
   

6. Continuous Learning: Embrace the Journey
   A year ago, I wondered how I’d handle the workload. My answer now? Don’t treat it like a job; make it part of your life’s growth. I’m still learning to delegate (hoarding tasks is a recipe for burnout) and to let actions speak louder than words. Saying you’ll do something is easy; following through takes grit and commitment. This applies beyond work. I’m also working to be a better father, son, and husband. It’s a lifelong project, and I’m okay with that. Every step forward counts.

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Together we stand,
divided we fall

If there’s one takeaway I want to leave you with, it’s this: end each day with gratitude. Especially in the face of challenges like COVID-19, maintaining optimism and a collaborative approach is crucial to overcoming obstacles.