Jeff Chandler raises an important “insider” issue within the WordPress community. I’ve not only heard the same types of comments, but felt similar at times. But just like any other “Us vs Them” type scenario, it only improves with people willing to do the brave thing and break through it with experience.
Anyone who feels threatened, or intimidated by the WordPress Core team simply needs to speak up, contribute, learn about how to contribute, and do it regularly.
I’ve challenged myself to contribute to each new default theme each year, and I’ve been active in contributing in Plugin Directory Meetings. I can say that the more I contribute with quality input and feedback and code the more accustom the team is to me and my personality and the more I grow as a contributor.
Author: Matt Cromwell
I'm the founder of Roots & Fruit, a fractional Chief Growth Officer practice for product companies that want growth to feel deliberate—not reactive. I help founders and teams turn customer feedback into clear product priorities, align marketing, product, and customer experience around shared goals, and build operating systems that support steady renewal revenue without burning out teams or customers.
I co-founded GiveWP and grew it through an eight-figure acquisition, then led marketing and customer experience at scale across StellarWP brands including LearnDash, Kadence, and The Events Calendar.
Over more than a decade in product-led growth, I've focused on connecting what customers feel with how teams build—and turning that alignment into meaningful, measurable results.
I also co-host WP Product Talk, where product founders share what actually works in building sustainable software businesses.
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