Joel Cuevas

Release Early, Release Often

Reading: 1 minute — Updated on: 2024

Encouraging early and frequent releases—whether of ideas, projects, or products—ensures that feedback flows constantly. This approach isn’t about seeking perfection from the start; it’s about refining your work based on real-world insights. By sharing progress early, you open the door to valuable input, allowing your team to adjust and improve continuously.

As a leader, creating a safe space for experimentation is crucial. When your team knows they can take risks without fear of failure, they’re more likely to innovate and push boundaries. Each mistake becomes a stepping stone to success, turning setbacks into opportunities for learning and growth.

Frequent, small updates help maintain momentum by breaking challenges into manageable pieces. Rather than allowing issues to accumulate into overwhelming barriers, your team can tackle them step by step, continuously moving forward. This approach not only leads to a more refined final outcome but also builds resilience and confidence, reinforcing a steady rhythm of progress.

Shifting the focus from delivering a "perfect" result to delivering value changes the game. It’s not about avoiding mistakes but about moving forward with purpose. By prioritizing value over flawlessness, you ensure that your team’s efforts are always aligned with what truly matters—creating something that makes a difference.


Further Readings Fail Fast, but Learn Faster

  • "Inspired" by Marty Cagan Dives deep into product management, offering insights on building products that resonate with customers and drive impact.

  • "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries" Provides practical advice on creating and managing successful startups by embracing continuous innovation and validated learning.

  • "Radical Candor" by Kim Scott Guides leaders on building open, honest relationships at work that drive growth, innovation, and a fearless team culture.


Related Takes You Might Find Interesting

  • Just Barely Good Enough On why pursuing perfection can be paralyzing, but incremental progress brings real-world benefits, improvement, and growth.

  • Congruence On cultivating trust through congruence by aligning leaders' words, actions, and values across the organization.

  • Success Beyond Zero-Sum On creating a culture where success isn't a competition but a shared journey where everyone wins and grows together.

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