Product Unmuted

We’ve all heard the phrase “leave it at the door.” As if the moment we walk into a meeting — or log into Zoom — we’re supposed to shed the parts of ourselves that make us human: parent, partner, caretaker, carpool driver, snack negotiator, emotional support human, and on-call therapist for small (or not-so-small) people.

For a long time, I thought that’s what leadership required. Be buttoned-up. Be reliable. Don’t let the messy parts show. And definitely don’t say no to work because of family — someone might question your commitment.

So instead when my kids were younger, I took career breaks after the birth of both of them. That wasn’t always met with applause — but it was the right decision for my family. And I don’t regret a single day. But this taught me an important life lesson about my priorities. Family first! Unapologetically!

I’ve rescheduled meetings to help my daughter into a princess dress (a wardrobe emergency, obviously). I’ve walked out of boardrooms to answer calls from panicked or just emotionally wobbly kids. I’ve worked from playground benches, martial arts gyms, school cafeterias, and parking lots.

And yes — I’ve muted meetings while resolving pressing issues like “I’m bored” or “He touched my charger.”

These days, my kids are teenagers. The glitter has been replaced by AP exams, internships, and a never-ending stream of “what’s for dinner?” texts. The needs are different, but they’re still real. The moments I need to drop everything may have changed shape — but they matter just as much.

And I bring that same mindset to how I lead at work now.

The pandemic cracked open a lot of workplace myths — chief among them, the idea that productivity and physical presence are the same thing. We saw people show up for work while navigating illness, loss, homeschooling, caregiving — all from their living rooms, bedrooms, and (let’s be honest) sometimes from under a pile of laundry.

We learned that trust works. Flexibility works. Humanity works.

And yet now, in this new “post-COVID” era, some companies are swinging the pendulum back. Five days a week. In the office. No exceptions. It’s as if they believe the only path to innovation runs when cubicles are full and while sitting in fluorescent-lit conference rooms.

To be clear: I find in-person collaboration valuable. There’s magic in whiteboarding, hallway conversations, and the kind of energy that comes from being in the same room. But that doesn’t mean we unlearn everything we gained during the hardest years of our lives.

This isn’t about remote vs. office. It’s about trust vs. control.

The best teams create space for people to do their best work — wherever that may be.

Empathy Is a Leadership Skill (Not a Buzzword)

As a leader, I care that my team shows up with intention, takes ownership, supports one another, and delivers. I don’t care if that happens from a home office or a coffee shop, between school pickups or after bedtime stories.

I lead with empathy — because I’ve been there. And I still am there.

I also try to lead with inclusion. That means team lunches instead of late-night happy hours, so caregivers can participate. It means check-ins that start with “how are you really?” and not just status updates. It means building team rituals that reflect the diversity of lives people are living — not just what’s convenient for a few.

I volunteer in my community — not because it checks a professional box, but because it keeps me grounded. I encourage my team to do the same. Whether it’s mentoring students, coaching soccer, caregiving for aging parents, or taking time for mental health — I want people to prioritize what matters without apology.

That’s not a distraction from work. That’s the foundation of a resilient, high-performing team.

No Judgment, Just Grace (and Probably Coffee)

Leadership isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about creating space for people to be whole — messy, brilliant, tired, driven, and everything in between.

Yes, I’ve taken calls from the carpool line. I’ve rewritten product strategy decks with one hand while helping a teenager find a clean shirt with the other. I’ve worn blazers on top and pajama pants on the bottom (haven’t we all?).

Grace — not perfection — is the new leadership superpower.

Your Path Is Yours. Let Others Find Theirs.

My career hasn’t been a straight line. It’s had pivots, pauses, and moments of doubt. But each chapter brought me closer to the kind of leader I want to be — someone who doesn’t just talk about balance and empathy, but actually lives it.

If you’re figuring it out as you go — that’s not a failure. That’s progress. I am also learning how to be vulnerable and it has allowed me to have some real unmuted conversations!

The Future of Work Is Human (and Sometimes Wears Sweatpants)

We don’t need more rigid policies that box people in. We need cultures that breathe. That see the whole person. That accommodate different paths, different needs, and different seasons of life.

Empathy isn’t extra — it’s essential. And when we lead with it, we get stronger teams, diverse perspectives, smarter ideas, and build better products!

Because the future of work is about moving forward — with trust, purpose, and our whole selves intact.

Blazer on top. Pajama pants optional.