741. Leading Through Grief | Running Your Product Business When You Want to Fall Apart
Thu Feb 05 2026
Is there a “right way” to handle grief? After losing both of my parents in one year, I learned something that surprised me: grief doesn’t happen when it’s convenient, and strength doesn’t always look like pushing harder. In this episode, I talk about grief, leadership, and what it really looks like to keep showing up in your product business when life is not cooperating. I also break down 4 simple but powerful moves that have helped me navigate grief, hard seasons, burnout, illness, caretaking, and major life transitions without pretending I’m fine or disappearing from my life and work. Here’s what I’ve learned about leading when life gets heavy.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
00:00 What surprised me most after losing my parents.
03:15 How high-capacity women use busyness as a coping mechanism.
09:15 What happens when your nervous system forces a business reset?
13:00 The 4 moves for navigating hard seasons without abandoning yourself.
15:00 Why hard seasons require fewer commitments.
21:30 Why support is not weakness and lone-wolf leadership leads to burnout.
23:00 How businesses survive hard seasons through systems and support.
26:00 What surrender actually means when life feels out of control.
29:15 The shamash metaphor and servant leadership through grief.
31:00 Do you need to be healed to keep living and leading?
Resources + Links
Ready to stop guessing and follow a proven system? Book your strategy call.
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Watch on YouTube
Follow
Jacqueline on IG: @theproductboss
theproductboss.com
More
Is there a “right way” to handle grief? After losing both of my parents in one year, I learned something that surprised me: grief doesn’t happen when it’s convenient, and strength doesn’t always look like pushing harder. In this episode, I talk about grief, leadership, and what it really looks like to keep showing up in your product business when life is not cooperating. I also break down 4 simple but powerful moves that have helped me navigate grief, hard seasons, burnout, illness, caretaking, and major life transitions without pretending I’m fine or disappearing from my life and work. Here’s what I’ve learned about leading when life gets heavy. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 00:00 What surprised me most after losing my parents. 03:15 How high-capacity women use busyness as a coping mechanism. 09:15 What happens when your nervous system forces a business reset? 13:00 The 4 moves for navigating hard seasons without abandoning yourself. 15:00 Why hard seasons require fewer commitments. 21:30 Why support is not weakness and lone-wolf leadership leads to burnout. 23:00 How businesses survive hard seasons through systems and support. 26:00 What surrender actually means when life feels out of control. 29:15 The shamash metaphor and servant leadership through grief. 31:00 Do you need to be healed to keep living and leading? Resources + Links Ready to stop guessing and follow a proven system? Book your strategy call. Get business tips sent right to your inbox - join the newsletter! Watch on YouTube Follow Jacqueline on IG: @theproductboss theproductboss.com