Exploring My Journey: From Journalism to Product Ownership
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Self-Reflection
Discussing oneself is often a daunting task, and I find it particularly challenging to share my story. It's not that I feel embarrassed; I simply believe that my personal narrative may not captivate others. You might wonder why I would even attempt to write about it. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s of any interest beyond my own experiences, and that's perfectly okay.
My intention in writing on Medium isn’t to gain viral fame or financial success—though I do appreciate the modest income from the Medium Partner Program. Rather, I write to engage with ideas and foster my own growth through reflection. Having been a fan of this platform for over eight years, I value meaningful exchanges with a small audience over superficial follower counts.
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Section 1.1: A Drastic Approach to Sharing My Story
Reaching this point in my narrative, I realize I haven’t revealed much about myself yet. To break this cycle, I reject typical trends, such as the "ABC of Me" challenges often promoted by marketers. Instead, I found inspiration in Rick Lewis and his innovative "Rarely Asked Questions" (RAQ) format, which I believe will enhance my storytelling.
Subsection 1.1.1: My Background in Journalism
Yes, I’m a former journalist! In short, I worked in hyperlocal journalism as a reporter and photographer from 2001 to 2008. Eventually, I moved to Stockholm, transitioned from print to digital news, and held various roles in over ten different organizations, primarily as an editor or reporter. After more than seven years in the field, I shifted careers to become a product owner.
Section 1.2: The Move to Product Ownership
In 2014, while at Aftonbladet, a leading Swedish news outlet, I had the chance to contribute to a project focused on the growing esports sector in Sweden. Eager for more challenges, I sought to transition to the tech department in 2015, but my request was denied. This led me to quit my job and explore new opportunities, ultimately joining Bonnier News as a product owner from 2015 to 2019.
Chapter 2: Embracing Content Modeling
During my tenure as a product owner, I managed legacy content management systems (CMS) and collaborated on developing an in-house headless CMS. This experience transformed my perspective on digital strategy and content modeling—a structured representation of content types and their interrelations.
The first video, "Morning Walk - YouTube," delves into the importance of taking breaks and how such moments can rejuvenate creativity. It emphasizes the benefits of stepping outside for a brief reprieve from work.
The second video, "Fall Asleep with Henrik - The Podcast That Helps You Fall Asleep - YouTube," illustrates the calming effect of storytelling and relaxation techniques, perfect for winding down after a long day.
The beauty of content modeling lies in its flexibility; there’s no universally correct method. Instead, it can be approached creatively and effectively. I find great satisfaction in this process, as I am deeply invested in various nerdy pursuits, from CMS to gaming franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy.
Section 2.1: My Passion for Lean-Agile Methodologies
While I appreciate many aspects of lean-agile methods, I prioritize principles and core values over rigid frameworks. Agility is about adaptability—an attitude rather than a set of rules.
I also have a deep affinity for Miro, where I lead a community group called Lean-Agile Evangelists and share templates to support agile workflows.
Section 2.2: Fiction and Creative Writing
In addition to my professional interests, I also engage in creative writing, producing stories, poetry, and song lyrics—though my fiction often remains unpublished. However, I am in the early stages of planning a collaborative fiction project, which I hope to share details about soon.
As I wrap up this reflection, I invite you to connect with me. If you have questions about my journey or interests, feel free to reach out!
