Having worn the hat of both a and a I’ve sat in countless meetings, brainstormed with myriad teams, and seen firsthand what makes or breaks a product. product manager product marketer, There is a reason we often say product managers are not responsible for “coming up” with ideas — it’s about how those ideas are cultivated through collaboration. With that in mind, I decided to write down a few thoughts about collaboration and setting up teams for success. Rethinking “Move Fast and Break Things” “Move fast and break things” might sound cool on a hoodie, but in practice? Not so much. Speed is fantastic, but only when it’s combined with purpose and clarity. I’ve seen teams zip through projects, only to later discover overlooked errors or mismatched goals. That’s why I’m a bigger fan of “learn fast.” Moving with direction and intention is far more important than moving with speed. Agility and responsiveness are important, but if you have no direction, you’re moving toward a wall very, very quickly. And the evidence backs this up: have indicated that learning-focused organizations display enhanced innovation and adaptability. McKinsey’s findings It’s Not Just About “Getting Shit Done” Hearing “We need to get shit done (GSD)” is all too common. I even have a shirt that proudly states “GET SHIT DONE!” and I love it (thank you !) Shopify But GSD comes at a cost. If team members are pushing ahead but feeling unheard or unsafe, it’s a recipe for burnout and missed opportunities. Remember They pinpointed psychological safety as a key factor for top-performing teams: Google’s Project Aristotle? Can we take risks on this team without feeling insecure or embarrassed? Psychological safety: Can we count on each other to do high quality work on time? Dependability: Are goals, roles, and execution plans on our team clear? Structure & clarity: Are we working on something that is personally important for each of us? Meaning of work: Do we fundamentally believe that the work we’re doing matters? Impact of work: Why Vulnerability, Empathy, and Feedback Matter From my time working in product and product marketing, I have learned that cross-collaboration is key for teams looking to gain both empowerment and autonomy. A truly collaborative team will work with three key pillars in mind: : No one has all the answers. When I’ve owned up to my gaps, it opened doors for others to do the same and for us to find solutions together. Vulnerability : I’ve sat across from devs, designers, and salespeople. Understanding their viewpoints has often been the difference between a product hiccup and a product win. Empathy : This isn’t a one-off; it’s an ongoing conversation. The more we’ve embraced it, the better our products have become. Feedback Conclusion “Learning fast” is where it’s at. Toss in genuine collaboration backed by vulnerability, empathy, and feedback, and you’ve got the golden recipe. Let’s prioritize our teams’ psychological well-being, stay focused, and truly collaborate. That’s how we make great products together. Also published here.

The is an opinion piece based on the author’s POV and does not necessarily reflect the views of HackerNoon.

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The Recipe for Great Products: Collaboration, Learning, and Empathy

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