Sprint 5 :: Lead by example, A Product Owners guide to ask first, decide after

Being a leader is not an easy task, nor is it something you are simply born with. It’s a learned skill, and you learn it the hard way. A good leader is a good servant, you either are the boss, or you serve your team and help them through the struggles, rising together to new levels. 🔼

A daily struggle of thousands of Product Owners around the world is centered around one single phrase “It’s the product owner’s decision”.

So many times have I heard this quote, coming from the very people that should give their opinion first, however, it seems like we are all becoming pre configured into just imputing all the responsibility into the Product Owner, it seems easier to not take responsibility for your own opinions. It’s understandable that the Product Owner should be the one to take the responsibility, it’s part of their job, however, all decisions should be made knowing the opinion of the specialist about that decision, with every decision made, there must be a reason and that reason comes from the specialist about that thing. If you have a design decision to do, why would you assume anything without asking the designer the “why”? ❓

As a product owner, you should always ask your specialist their opinions, they know better than you what needs to be done, help the team grow with you by your decisions, and not against you by deciding on your own.

If you want to become a good leader, you shouldn’t start by just watching leadership memes and reading leadership books. Start by learning what questions you should ask and when! and then, learn to listen. 👂

Ask the questions to the specialists, really hear their answer and do some more questions, understand the subject and take that person’s knowledge to your next meeting. 

Lead, not taking the others by hand or talking above others, lead by taking their thoughts and knowledge with you, and by giving them the credit they deserve! 💳

The Product Land ⛰️

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