Expertise vs open-mindedness

You know that feeling when you see someone's approach and think “This is a mess - it could be so much better”?
You start wondering why. Are they just stuck in old habits? Do they not know there are other options? Or do they know - and choose not to use them?
What if they don't even know what “awesome” could look like? If only they could experience it, maybe they'd never go back to the old way.
But then, when someone suggests an improvement to me... read more

Define who's making the call before a debate starts.

That person takes in everyone's input but in the end they own the final decision.

It cuts down on endless debates and helps the team align around a single direction - even if not everyone agrees at first.

Marathon done! ✅

What an incredible experience. Running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and soaking in the amazing views was unforgettable. The support along the course was fantastic, with spectators holding up funny signs like "Don't be shit" that kept me laughing.

I finished in 5h 10m - not the fastest, but my goal was to finish, so I didn't push too hard.

My plan was to stay in Zone 2 for the first 15km, then stick to Zone 3 as long as possible and I managed to do just that. I hit a couple of cramps in the second half but powered through with cramp shots (disgusting, but they work).

A short post about unstoppable teams.

Weathering the Torpedoes

All teams will face this moment sooner or later.

Torpedoes hit and chaos erupts. This feels like the end.

You see those who freeze and are lost in analysis or despair. Others grab buckets, extinguish fires and patch the holes. Those who can't handle the shitstorm often leave or, worse, switch off - but the team that stays learns.

Each crisis builds resilience and over time, the screams fade, the paralysis lessens and the team grows steady.

One day, the torpedo hits again but nobody panics. Everyone acts, shoulders the load and trusts each other to hold the line.

That's the moment you know your team is unstoppable.

Lead with Problems, Not Solutions

Sharing problems doesn't mean solving them.

Early in a product management career, it's tempting to package every problem with a solution. It feels efficient and helpful but it can limit your team's creativity. Presenting ready-made answers shifts focus from understanding the problem to critiquing your idea. This shortcut skips the messy, collaborative process where the best solutions often emerge.

Teams thrive when they tackle challenges together. Give them the problem - leave space for their brilliance.

If you're a Product Manager, let the Product Designer lead when they're handling tasks well.

Shift your focus to strategy or collaboration, stepping in only if quality slips - then step back again.

Agile Isn’t Chaos

Agility is misunderstood. True agility adapts to change without succumbing to chaos. It's never about rushing decisions.

The best teams balance flexibility and structure. Agility thrives on collaboration, iterative progress and responsiveness - anchored by clear direction. Without this balance, chaos replaces speed and quality falls victim to a mirage of progress.

Agile isn't a strategy. It's how strategies breathe.

Agile vs Strategy

Hyrox done! ✅

Happy that I finished but not quite happy with the time. I was aiming for ~1h 30m, but it was a bit heavy today.

Will do it again next year!

Using no-reply emails puts up a barrier and can leave customers feeling ignored.

Instead, businesses should use email addresses that invite replies and ensure responses. It's a simple way to build stronger relationships and gather valuable feedback.

From Code to Product Manager: 7 Lessons

The transition from being a software engineer to a product manager wasn't swift or smooth for me. I stumbled, burned out, and had to dive into countless books and relentless practice.
Here are 7 things I wish I could have done better when I transitioned to Product Manager.
As a software engineer, you can see your day's work reflected in the code written and results displayed in the browser.
In product management, results or impact might not be ... read more

Managing My Week with a Notion Board

I use Notion to plan and manage my week and I'll take you through the process step-by-step. You can get the Notion Template here.
On Friday or Monday morning, I reflect on the priorities and goals that my team and I need to achieve. I then outline 1-3 of these goals and add them to my Notion Board. To ensure I have time and space to complete these goals, I often block out time in my calendar for them.
I add 🎯 to the goal cards so they are easil... read more

3 Quick Tips for Better Teamwork

So you want to build a stronger, faster team? Here are 3 quick tips for better teamwork that you can implement today:

Show the team that it's okay to make mistakes. A good place to start is with yourself.
Share your own mistakes with your team, especially when your boss is there too. When your boss suggests an idea in front of the team, share your perspective, even if it differs.
Soon you will start gaining insights from the team much faster ab... read more

TIL. Radio stations use the Radio Data System (RDS) to send song information alongside their broadcast. RDS embeds digital data into the FM signal without interfering with the audio.

The data travels on a subcarrier frequency - a portion of the FM signal reserved for extra information. This allows song titles, artist names, and station details to display on your car's radio screen. Simple, seamless and clever.

PMs, Step Back to Move Forward

When PMs and PDs overlap, clarity saves teams.

PMs and PDs often talk to customers, pitch ideas and think about UX. Overlap is natural but not all tasks require both voices. If PDs excel at crafting intuitive experiences, PMs should step back and refocus. Their time is better spent refining strategy and building cross-team alignment.

Stepping back isn't losing control - it's enabling brilliance.

The Role Overlap Between PM and PD

Roles in product and design teams often overlap. Both product managers and product designers talk to customers, come up with feature ideas, and suggest UX improvements.
However, these overlaps can sometimes lead to conflict and frustration.
The solution is quite simple.
If you're a product manager and your product designer is doing a great job, take a step back. There are plenty of other things you can do without getting in each other's way - rev... read more

Scaling Skills in Small Teams

Working at a small tech business shapes your career differently.

You'll juggle strategy, customer service, product development and beyond. The small team demands versatility, immersing you in every aspect of the business. This hands-on experience accelerates learning and builds skills quicker than larger organisations ever could.

For ambitious minds craving growth and variety, nothing compares.

Why Do I Run?

I used to play soccer, where running was an integral part of both training and the game.
However, I never saw the appeal of going for a jog just for the sake of it. We had to run 6km as a warm-up before training started, and that was enough for me.
Now that I've retired from soccer, the desire to run has recently rekindled within me.
At first, running for more than 15 minutes seemed boring. What do you do? Listen to music or a podcast? As my ru... read more

Why You Should Join a Small Tech Business

When you work in a small tech business or a startup, one of the pros is that you are involved in all aspects of the business, from strategy to customer service.
In our team at Backpocket, when we make a change (any change, really), we have to consider the customer experience (both B2B and B2C), the impact on the team, regulations, copy/messaging, admin area, operations, financial impact, etc.
Do you want to improve a part of the business that you... read more

If the user experience needs explaining, it's not a good one.

Clarity should be baked into design. The best experiences guide users seamlessly, answering questions before they arise and making every interaction intuitive.

Explanations only highlight what's broken. A great user experience speaks for itself.

Pedestrian crossing or not?