I’m Max, a father of two, Product Director & Product Coach from Sydney. I write about leadership, product management, business and life.
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  1. One of my posts on LinkedIn went viral'ish. It wasn’t exactly groundbreaking or full of deep insights.

    But it’s certainly a topic that has two completely opposite camps and no one in between.

    I’ve written better and more helpful content (at least in my opinion), but LinkedIn’s algorithm doesn’t promote it because it doesn’t drive engagement.

    That’s why I don’t like algorithms. Instead of promoting good content, they push controversial or clickbaity posts that spark engagement.

    Thoughtful and insightful content stays invisible.

    The title "Product Owner" shouldn't exist

  2. Let It Marinate

    When I'm trying to solve a problem and my brain starts running around in circles like a headless chicken, I like to hit the "I'm going to bed to let it marinate" button.

    At that point, there's no way to push my stubborn brain to explore other ideas. The brain is tired and moody.

    Stepping away is progress because you trust your brain to do its thing while you sleep. Don't do this during the day, though; your colleagues won't appreciate it.

    I know when I wake up, I'll have a dozen (okay, maybe a couple) fresh angles and new ways to tackle the problem. Magic!

  3. Jan 6, 2025

    Clarity in the Pause

    It’s not working harder. It’s stepping back.

    The answer isn’t hidden. It’s waiting for a moment of space, when the mind quietly connects what was already there. That’s the brilliance of stepping away.

    When it clicks, everything changes.

    One realisation I had was that I want to create and share a “manual of me.” Something to help others understand how I work and how best to collaborate with me. So, I went ahead and drafted the first version.

    The other realisation was about how our product teams operate in the context of our market. We can move faster. We should move faster. And we will.

    Big day!

  4. Jan 3, 2025

    Returning to the office with New Year energy, you spot two packages waiting on your desk.

    A gourmet hamper and a bottle of fine wine spark instant excitement - this is your moment.

    Then you see the label. The label says it all: not yours.

    The year’s first reality check. Fresh challenges are ahead in 2025. Let’s go! 🚀

  5. Jan 1, 2025

    Just wrapped up my first gym session of 2025 and even snagged a badge for it in Garmin. Apparently, you can earn that kind of badge up to 250 times. Can’t imagine anyone ever maxing that out!

    First gym session in 2025

  6. Dec 30, 2024

    he optimal restaurant seating arrangement for a couple

    While on a trip to Japan with my wife, we got talking about how much of what we do in life is shaped by movies - everything from beauty standards to how people are judged by their wealth, even to our ideas about who the "bad guys" in the world are.

    Personally, I prefer sitting side-by-side. It feels more intimate and it’s so much easier to share food that way. But it’s funny how the default seating arrangement is almost always face-to-face.

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