Faces behind Chainbalance – Ties Delnooz

In the tech industry, few roles are as unique and multifaceted as that of a Product Owner. Let's see how Ties navigated his unconventional path to reach his current position.

Creative mind

Even back in middle school, creative expression was Ties main interest. Whether drawing or music, he constantly found himself pushing creative boundaries. But experimenting with digital media especially sparked a new passion in him. He fondly remembers wanting to create digital art in his drawing class, even though it was something new then, and thankfully had a supportive teacher who pushed him to try the medium.

By the time he reached college, he knew he wanted to deepen his creative skills but wasn't sure of the right direction. He ultimately chose Communication and Multimedia Design, a program that combined all his passions and offered things like 3D printing, graphic design, and digital installations. He felt he'd found his place here, diving into projects across videography, digital art, and interactive design.

However, like many creatives, he found it hard to pinpoint exactly where to focus. Each new area he explored felt exciting and rewarding, leaving him with a diverse skill set but a need for more direction.

A freelancer's life

After graduating, he jumped straight into freelancing as a graphic designer. While he enjoyed the flexibility, freelancing wasn't easy without a clear focus. It took about a year of projects for him to realize that he needed something with a clear view. However, a turning point came when one particularly happy client asked him to lead a project. It was a step up, blending creative and leadership responsibilities.

This role change helped him see that, while he might not be Picasso, he excelled at something different: understanding client needs, even those they didn't even know they had. He found a talent for asking the "question behind the question" and for bringing out the best ideas hidden in his clients' minds. More than creativity, his strengths lay in empathy, listening, and the strategic thinking required to steer projects in the right direction.

Finding his calling as a Product Owner

The transition to Product Owner wasn't an overnight decision. But over time, his love for collaboration and his knack for managing expectations made it clear that this was the path he wanted to pursue. With some training and a certificate, he started taking on Product Owner roles in different companies. Upon his journey, he noticed that every company defines that role for themselves; the rules described in the Scrum guide don't matter much – taking ownership is what matters.

The book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin resonated with him. It underscored the importance of taking full responsibility and understanding that there's always a way to influence outcomes, even when things seem beyond one's control. This idea clicked for him; it aligned with his values and drive to lead by example.

One of his favorite aspects of being a Product Owner is empowering his team to take ownership. He strives to give his developers, marketers, and executives insight into why they're building what they're building, fostering a collective sense of purpose. It's about aligning everyone's efforts to maximize value, even though he's not the one directly creating that value — that's the developers' role. His job is to guide and inspire, a task he loves.

The Chainbalance vibe: a place to own your success

One thing he values most about his current position at Chainbalance is the vibe and atmosphere. Accountability isn't just a buzzword; it's a way of life. He explains that in many companies, you don't get a real chance to prove your worth, make decisions, or take on real responsibility. However, at Chainbalance, the company trusted him from the start, setting clear goals and giving him the autonomy to reach them.

“I love a challenge and as Product Owner at Chainbalance I found a place that values my drive and encourages me to push forward everyday.“ – Ties Delnooz, Product Owner

He thrives in this environment, where he can make and execute his own plans with minimal interference. He's opinionated, and when he decides on something, he's fully committed to making it happen. At Chainbalance, he's found a place that values this drive and encourages him to push forward. He's challenged every day to prove himself, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Bouldering, community, and the great outdoors

Outside the office, he has another passion that aligns perfectly with his personality — bouldering. For him, climbing isn't just a sport; it's a way to challenge himself, both physically and mentally. Every year, he makes a pilgrimage to Fontainebleau, a legendary climbing destination – his personal "Bouldering Mecca." Surrounded by massive boulders and fellow climbers, he feels part of a close-knit community that shares his love for the climb.