The modern data stack (MDS) companies face a balancing act between data governance and business user self-service. The goal is to find the sweet spot where enough governance is enforced to mitigate data chaos while making progress toward empowering stakeholders with self-service capabilities. However, this delicate balance can be challenging due to technical challenges posed by data governance controls, such as the need for manual updates and reviews. To strike a balance, companies should categorize governance needs into foundational, intermediate, and advanced stages, allowing users to gradually gain more autonomy while maintaining data integrity. Ultimately, finding the right balance requires proactive conversations and collaborations between data teams and stakeholders, rather than relying solely on tools or technology.