Product Unmuted

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” — Steve Jobs

I’ve been a little quiet lately—and that’s intentional. Not because there’s nothing to share, but because we’ve been heads down, building something big. We’re not just shipping features—we’re building a bank. And when you’re in the thick of it—refining flows, removing roadblocks, closing stories, solving edge cases—it’s not about broadcasting progress. It’s about making it happen.

Let’s be real—leading a product team isn’t always glamorous. Some days feel like we’re trying to build a bridge while sprinting across it, dodging shifting priorities, last-minute asks, and the occasional “Can we just add this one thing?” moment. But when you’ve got an empowered team? That chaos turns into momentum.

This past sprint reminded me why I love this part of my job. It’s a new team,  new to Agile and this was our 2nd real sprint! But the energy was palpable. Stories were closed. People jumped in to help each other without being asked. We didn’t just collaborate—we co-created. And we didn’t waste time spinning on problems. We found paths forward. Sometimes those paths were small wins—a clarified requirement, a smarter workaround, a better user flow. But those small wins? They add up. Fast.

So how do you build empowered teams?

You start by creating space for ownership. You give people the context, not just the tasks. You trust them to make decisions, and you back them when they do. You encourage curiosity, not just execution. You celebrate progress, not just perfection. And most importantly, you model the mindset: never take “no” as the end of the road. Instead, ask “what’s possible?” Empowered teams aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo—they’re wired to find a way forward, even if it means carving a new path. And our job as Product leaders, is to clear the path, remove the noise, and make space for the team to do what they do best: deliver.

Momentum : With Purpose

Momentum isn’t just about speed—it’s about belief. It’s the sense that we’re not just moving, we’re moving with purpose. That every decision, every conversation, every “aha!” moment is part of something bigger. And when teams feel that? They don’t just deliver—they own the outcome.

Resilience: The Secret Ingredient

And let’s talk about resilience for a second. Empowered teams don’t take “no” as the final answer. They hear “no” and say, “Cool. Let’s find a better way.” They don’t get intimidated by the mountain—they start mapping the trail. They don’t wait for perfect conditions – they start climbing.

One step at a time. One win at a time. Because no mountain is too high when you’ve got a team that believes in the mission and refuses to settle.

Why This Matters

We’re not just building a product. We’re building trust. We’re building experiences that matter. We’re building a bank that customers will love. And that takes more than code—it takes courage, creativity, and a team that shows up every day ready to make an impact.

So here’s to the teams that bring the energy, challenge the status quo, and keep showing up with grit, creativity, and a little bit of humor. You’re not just shipping features—you’re shaping the future. And I couldn’t be prouder to climb that mountain with you.