After nearly two decades building products across startups, AI, and enterprise, I've developed a set of principles that guide how I think, lead, and build. They're shaped by experience, sharpened by mistakes, and influenced by thinkers like Marty Cagan, Teresa Torres, Ryan Singer, Don Norman, and Lenny Rachitsky.
The best products solve real problems. I dig deep to understand what's broken, why it matters, and what a better future looks like. Only then do we write code. Features follow.
Inspired by Inspired (Marty Cagan) and The Mom Test (Rob Fitzpatrick)
Shipping isn't the win. Impact is. I care less about how many features we launch and more about whether we're changing behavior, improving metrics, and delivering meaningful results.
People are polite. They'll say what they think you want to hear, but behavior doesn't lie. I rely on what users do, not what they say, and I focus on leading indicators that actually predict success.
A mix of product analytics, cohort insights, and structured follow-ups
Every idea is a hypothesis. I believe in a culture of fast learning through prototypes, data, and tight feedback loops. Discovery isn't a phase. It's how we work.
Built on Continuous Discovery Habits (Teresa Torres) and Lean Startup (Eric Ries)
I'd rather be wrong this week than right six months from now. The cost of being slow is almost always higher than the cost of a quick correction. That's why I push for clear assumptions, rapid tests, and tight iteration cycles.
If a user has to think twice, we've overdesigned it. Whether it's AI or onboarding, my goal is always clarity, not cleverness. Simplicity scales.
Influenced by The Design of Everyday Things (Don Norman) and Don't Make Me Think (Steve Krug)
Great teams don't just execute. They own the problem. I lead by sharing context, setting outcomes, and supporting where/when needed. People do their best work when trusted and unblocked.
Inspired by Shape Up (Ryan Singer) and Empowered (Cagan)
Focus is strategy. I say no to good ideas all the time, not because they're wrong, but because they're distractions. Clear priorities protect the team's time and energy.
A principle echoed by Lenny Rachitsky and hard-earned over years of "just one more thing"
Feedback is a gift, even when it stings. I aim to be direct, respectful, and consistent, and I expect the same in return. People thrive when they feel safe and challenged.
Rooted in Radical Candor (Kim Scott)
These principles help me build what matters, move quickly, and lead with clarity and care. They're still evolving, but they've held up across products, pivots, and teams.