I recently read a daily devotional that really stuck with me. It told the story of someone pulling up behind a car at a red light and noticing a bright sticker on the rear window that said: “New Driver. Please Be Patient.”
Simple, right? But powerful.
The devotional went on to wonder—what if people walked around with signs like that? “New Parent.” “Grieving.” “Still Figuring It Out.” If we knew what others were going through, would we respond with more grace, more patience, more compassion?
That reflection made me think about product management—about how often we operate at full speed, chasing deadlines and KPIs, without pausing to consider what others (or even we ourselves) might be navigating behind the scenes.
Here’s how that one line—Please be patient—translates into building better products, better teams, and better habits of leadership.
Be Patient with Your Users
Not every user is an expert. They didn’t build the product. They might be stressed, confused, in a hurry, or learning something new.
Design with that in mind. Write helpful error messages. Offer simple onboarding. Make space for second chances. Assume they’re doing their best.
Sometimes, we treat users like they’re doing something wrong—when really, they’re just trying to figure things out. That’s your cue to show up with clarity and kindness.
Be Patient with Your Team
That engineer might be ramping up. That designer might be in the middle of a tough critique cycle. That marketer might be balancing multiple launches. We’re quick to notice missed deadlines—but slower to see silent struggles.
Create a culture where “Please be patient” is more than a platitude. Normalize asking for help. Celebrate growth over speed. Make it okay to not be okay.
If someone’s learning, support them. If someone’s overwhelmed, notice. People do better when they feel seen.
Be Patient with Yourself
Product management is messy. It’s storytelling, prioritization, psychology, herding cats, and playing translator between worlds. You’re not going to get it all right all the time.
And that’s okay.
Give yourself grace. You’re still learning. You’re still growing. Some days will feel like wins. Others will feel like survival. Keep going anyway.
Stick your own sign on the mirror if you need to: “Still Learning. Please Be Patient.”
Leading Like Jesus
What struck me most about that devotional wasn’t just the sticker—it was the reminder of how Jesus moved through the world. He wasn’t rushed. He wasn’t reactive. He saw people. He stopped. He made time.
That’s the model.
In Ephesians 4:1–3, Paul urges us to live “a life worthy of the calling [we] have received,” and that includes being “completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
That’s not just good theology—it’s good leadership.
Whether you’re shipping a feature, running a sprint, coaching a teammate, or debugging your own thoughts—remember the sticker:
“Please be patient.”
You never know what someone’s carrying. But you always have a choice in how you respond.