• Agile Transformation

And then you were on the Product Owner’s oneman show

Is this following recognizable? The review is hijacked by the manager or by a key stakeholder. Or the Product Owner turns the delivery into a big one-man show. You feel that coming in, don’t you? After having worked very hard as a team on that one product, innovation or delivery, you want to celebrate the success together. And not just to see the Product Owner carried on his or her shoulders. Getting appreciation as a team and expressing it to each other is important. Now and in the long run.

On my walk this morning, I pondered something: the deep-rooted bonds that we, as Product Owners and Product Leads, build over the years with our Agile teams are special. You want to be intentional about that. Ideally, you want to build a team spirit that stays alive even when the team falls apart. It means that as a Product Owner, you never want to claim success, but rather celebrate it with your team. And continue to celebrate it.

What you get done then? You make a good impact on each other and build long-term relationships. These remain valuable, even in the long term. Especially in the rapidly changing world of technology and product development.

The why behind reunions

Have you ever wondered why Agile teams that worked together years ago still seek each other out? It’s not just because of cozy get-togethers or nostalgic anecdotes. It goes deeper.

• Shared struggle: Every sprint, every obstacle and every success has brought us more together. Through the struggles, we have learned to rely on each other and that creates a bond that doesn’t just evaporate.
  
• Growth: We didn’t just develop products and solutions; we developed ourselves. Every feedback session, every retrospective, has contributed to our personal and professional growth.
  
• Culture: The culture we created together, the respect for each other’s expertise, and the space we gave each other to experiment, is something we take with us wherever we go.

Grieving: an indispensable part of our journey

When teams break up or transform, we feel it. The silence after a busy sprint, the emptiness of a familiar face missing from the daily stand-up. There is a sense of loss, a space that was filled with energy, laughter and even frustration. It is essential that we allow ourselves to feel and grieve this loss. Because grieving is also a form of appreciation for what was. And a recognition of its importance in our lives. It is also an opportunity for growth. By grieving together, we remind ourselves of the value of what we have built together and give ourselves the space to heal, learn and look forward.

The real impact of a team

What I want to emphasize is that it’s not just the customer value we deliver with our products or services. It is the impact we have on each other that creates lasting change. It is the feeling that even when we all go in different directions, we always have a safe haven to return to. A group of people who “get it. A team of people who were there for each other, shoulder to shoulder.
So the next time you reach a milestone, big or small, take a moment. Take a deep breath, look back on the journey, celebrate with your team and raise your glass. Because success is more than just the end goal, it’s the journey that leads to it. Cheers!

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead and continue our journey, I encourage you all to cherish the magic of these long-lasting relationships. Keep in touch, support each other and continue to make those precious memories and celebrate together. Because people may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Here’s a toast to many more years of collaboration, reflection, appreciation, celebration, mourning and lasting bonds. On to the next adventure!