9 Comments
User's avatar
Elena | AI Product Leader's avatar

Always appreciate your writing and perspective, Mike! You have been reading since day one. I just opened up to my subscribers about my own situation today and then I saw this. The timing is perfect. This is exactly the mindset we need right now.

Mike Watson's avatar

I saw that one earlier today. Losing a job sucks - I had something similar last March and it feels like a gut punch. But look at us now with our fancy tools and our products going to market. I'm excited to see where this new builder lifestyle takes us both!

Elena | AI Product Leader's avatar

Thanks, Mike. I actually thought of you! Knowing that you went through it last March and came out fighting is really encouraging.

You're right, the “builder lifestyle” (and the fancy tools) beats the “waiting for permission” lifestyle hands down. Let's see where this takes us! 🙌

Monica Joy Krol's avatar

Great article. I have been working with my SVP to ensure he understands this, as well as helping our PMs understand this too! Thank you!

Soumya Sreeram's avatar

I completely agree! Yesterday, I witnessed Oracle laying off 300 employees. It’s disheartening. Honestly, the role extended beyond writing stories and facilitating cross-functional collaboration. It encompassed the context, clarity, streamlined execution, and the results that often go unnoticed when making such decisions.

Mike Watson's avatar

Hopefully you were safe if you were in the mix there!

Soumya Sreeram's avatar

I don’t work there, So I am good :) thanks

Benedikt Kantus's avatar

I fully agree, Mike! It’s easy to write user stories in the desired format. But that says nothing about whether the content of the ticket is valuable.

Mike Watson's avatar

Absolutely. They can't get rid of us just yet right??