What you can
expect from me

I don’t go small.

I start big and impractical. I will never come to the table with something we can build tomorrow. I am drawn to the innovative and inspiring. From there I work with my team on what has been possible. Then where the magic happens is that sweet spot in the middle where together we push what is possible and find creativity in working with what we have: time, people and resources and create something we couldn’t have dreamed of on day one. I want to work with others who have a “yes and” mentality who see a crazy idea and never say “we can’t do that” but will dig in on an any idea to see what gem we can dig up from below the surface together.

I value people over products.

I take a hard stance on taking care of the people I lead. I don’t see my team members as resources, but friends I get to create things with. I also know that they do their best work when they are their best self. This means their mental, emotional and physical health are encouraged, protected and supported by giving them what they need to be successful and allowing them to live their best life when they aren’t building products. I want them to love what they do and who they do it with and know that we have each other’s backs.

I create products with people for people

I see users as people who serve as partners and co-creators in products that add value to their life. My team will always be looking outside our own bias’ and blind spots to see what value people are actually looking for in a product. It’s not that it comes before business needs, but should be the foundation and building blocks to business success.

I will lead regular creative retreats that both inspire and propel us forward as a team and as strategic problem solvers.

I’m invested in people and that investment pays off so clearly in a product. Something very important to me is to benefit from the energy, trust and freshness that comes out of setting aside budget and regular time to get together face to face in a creative environment that is a huge part of the growth of a team as well as a way to let them know they are valued as individuals and to reenforce that we have each other’s back and that our success is fought for and shared together.

What I expect when joining a team

You know that inspiration leads to innovation.

I start big and impractical. I will never come to the table with something we can build tomorrow. I am drawn to the innovative and inspiring. From there I work with my team on what has been possible. Then where the magic happens is that sweet spot in the middle where together we push what is possible and find creativity in working with what we have: time, people and resources and create something we couldn’t have dreamed of on day one. I want to work with others who have a “yes and” mentality who see a crazy idea and never say “we can’t do that” but will dig in on an any idea to see what gem we can dig up from below the surface together.

You trust who you hire

The best leaders let people do what they do best. There is a fine line between being challenged and being questioned at every turn. I believe there should be an element of trust. When I ask a dev team about what they can and can’t do, I might challenge their answer, but ultimately I trust that they know development more than me and will trust that they know the best approach. After all, that’s not what I’m an expert in and was brought it to lead. I a hard stance on taking care of the people I lead. I don’t see my team members as resources, but friends I get to create things with. I also know that they do their best work when they are their best self. This means their mental, emotional and physical health are encouraged, protected and supported by giving them what they need to be successful and allowing them to live their best life when they aren’t building products. I want them to love what they do and who they do it with and know that we have each other’s backs.

You respect and protect personal time

My weekends, nights and vacations are rest. That’s something that even I have to be strict on myself. Sure, there might be an occasional idea I get when I laid my head down at night that I have to get out in order to sleep. But I’m committed to health and I expect leadership to value it as well.

You understand that “yesterday” is not a date

I made a habit a long time ago not to accept yesterday as a deadline. It’s something I’ve heard a lot over the years and what it communicates is that you are already firmly placed in the red. The anxiety is switched on and the person on the other end of “yesterday” now has to make up for lack of planning, the lack of leadership knowing how to say no or knowing the importance of giving adequate time to make great things. It’s a short term fix that feeds into long term resentment and burnout.