For 17 years, I have been immersed in the world of technology at Mercedes-Benz. Throughout my career, I have accumulated a wealth of experience and insights, encountering the inevitable ‘wear and tear’ that comes with long-term dedication to the tech industry. Over the past decade, my teams and I played a pivotal role in transforming from a project-led to a product-led approach. This journey has been filled with challenges, from emotional outbursts and unmet expectations to rebellious teams, downtimes, and major process and design failures. Despite these hurdles, I find immense value in these experiences and love to share my insights with others, affirming that the journey is indeed worth it.