S2:E23 - Be the CEO of Your Life

In this final episode of Season 2, we’re wrapping up the year the only way we know how — with honesty, humor, and a lot of heart. We talk about what it really means to be the CEO of your own life, who gets a seat at your personal board table, and why your job absolutely does not get a vote. We dig into the humanity of product work: layoffs, leadership spine, hard conversations, prioritization, and why courage and clarity matter more than any framework.

We also talk about the role of joy — how we find it, what makes us come alive, the hobbies and communities that sustain us, and the permission we all need to choose a life that feels good. It’s a warm, reflective close to a season that pushed us, stretched us, and reminded us why we love doing this together. 

Key Takeaways

1. You Are the CEO of Your Life

You choose who gets a seat on your personal board of directors — and your job, your boss, and your company don’t get a vote. The people who guide you should care about your joy, humanity, and long-term well-being, not your output. 

2. Courage + Clarity Are Non-Negotiable

Whether it’s prioritization, layoffs, financial decisions, or leadership accountability, most organizational pain stems from avoiding the hard conversations. Teams need spine, honesty, and transparency to make real progress. 

3. Humanity > Frameworks

No org chart, process, or framework can fix a team that’s running on fear. Creativity and problem-solving only happen when people feel safe, trusted, and able to tell the truth. Product is fundamentally human work — and leaders must “human” before anything else.  

Questions for Product Managers

1. Where might you need more courage or clarity right now — and what hard conversation are you avoiding that would change things for the better?

2. Who are you allowing to influence your decisions and identity at work — and who truly deserves a seat on your personal board?