Leading with Courage: Building Great Products and Human-Centered Teams with Yi-Wei Ang

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Yi-Wei Ang, Chief Product Officer at talabat, one of the world’s leading food delivery companies, about courageous leadership, product excellence, and the human side of innovation. Yi-Wei’s story spans continents—from Malaysia to Dubai—and each chapter has shaped his view of leadership, culture, and design. Starting his career in UX research, he built his way into product leadership while keeping people, empathy, and impact at the center. This conversation explores what it takes to lead at scale with authenticity and courage: creating psychological safety, balancing empathy with decisive action, and remembering that great products begin with great humans. Olga and Yi-Wei discuss: Courageous leadership and why psychological safety fuels innovation What makes a great product: balancing customer value with business growth How global experience and cultural diversity shape leadership The impact of parenthood on empathy and prioritization The loneliness of senior leadership — and the importance of finding your tribe How authenticity and continuous learning sustain long-term success Why discipline, structure, and self-care routines keep leaders centered If you’re a product leader, founder, or executive navigating growth and complexity, this episode is a masterclass in clarity, courage, and connection.