"Product releases can be challenging for everyone involved. I always do my best to use my experience to help myself and others find perspective and balance during potentially stressful times. There are several techniques I have found to be helpful over the years.
First, I try to facilitate a balanced mindset in myself and my teams. I stay focused on the goal and not the little things that tend to throw people off track. I remind everyone that releases are stressful, and we need to make sure that we practice self-care in whatever way is appropriate.
Secondly, I remind everyone that customer feedback can be brutal at times. We often release products with a minimum set of features, and customers sometimes lack insight into the long-term plans. I encourage my teams to listen to what the customers say about what we have built so we can improve in the right ways going forward. However, I remind them that it is important not to take things too personally.
Finally, I like to work with the project manager or program manager to ensure that we reward our teams for their hard work. I take time to call out stellar customer service or recognize someone who went above and beyond. Sometimes we have an opportunity to reward the team with an activity or a meal. The method usually doesn't matter. What matters is that everyone knows how much their contributions are valued."
