Why I Believe in Building Product Careers with Purpose

Introduction

Careers in product are often described in terms of velocity, growth, and scope. How many teams do you lead? What’s your ARR impact? What’s your next move?

But what if success wasn’t just about climbing? What if it was also about depth—about aligning your work with your values and building products that actually matter?

For me, product isn’t just a job. It’s a way to build things that make a difference in people’s lives. And over the years, I’ve come to believe that careers grounded in purpose are not only more fulfilling—they’re also more sustainable.

Define Your Personal North Star

Every product needs a North Star metric. Every product person needs a North Star, too.

For me, that’s impact. Not just financial, but human. I ask myself: Is the work I’m doing helping someone succeed, understand, connect, or grow?

That North Star has guided me across roles, industries, and even tough decisions. When in doubt, I come back to purpose.

It’s Okay to Say No

Early in my career, I said yes to everything. Roles, meetings, features, roadmaps. Eventually, I realized that saying yes to everything meant saying no to myself.

Now, I evaluate opportunities based on three filters:

Will I learn?

Can I contribute meaningfully?

Does this align with what I stand for?

It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Because when you say no to the wrong things, you make space for the right ones.

People Over Products

You can build the most elegant product in the world, but if you burn out your team doing it, you’ve failed.

I’ve learned to lead with empathy. To focus on the people building the product as much as the product itself. That includes creating safety, championing mental health, and designing processes that serve humans—not just JIRA boards.

Great careers are made by the relationships we build as much as the features we ship.

Success Looks Different for Everyone

Some people want to be CPOs. Others want to start their own thing. Some want flexibility, others want structure.

There’s no one right version of a “successful” product career. The only mistake is not asking yourself what success really looks like to you.

Closing Thought

In a world obsessed with growth, remember to define your own version of success. One that includes purpose, balance, and pride in the work you do.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about building products. It’s about building a career (and a life) that feels aligned, intentional, and genuinely yours.