MM #26: Redesigning Work: How Micro-Breaks Can Revolutionize Remote Creativity and Productivity
Remote work promised flexibility, yet many feel drained and uninspired. The missing piece? Micro-breaks—brief pauses that restore energy and creativity. Science shows even 30-second resets boost focus, while walking increases creativity by 60%. Use the REST Framework: Reset, Energize, Spark, and Tune-in. Productivity isn’t about working longer—it’s about working smarter. Try a micro-break today!
Messy Middle #25: The best journeys aren’t always the smoothest
Middle management in design is the messy middle—balancing high-level strategy with on-the-ground execution while navigating constant uncertainty. Thriving in this role isn’t about avoiding failure but about building resilience, setting boundaries, and coaching your team through challenges. By reframing uncertainty, letting go of unnecessary burdens, and empowering others, you create a culture of trust, growth, and impact.
MM 24: The Future of UX is Here—And It’s Not What You Think
The future of UX isn’t about small optimizations—it’s about radical reinvention. As the next billion users come online, they will rewrite the rules of digital experiences, demanding inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant designs. Aging populations, emerging markets, and shifting interaction models are reshaping the way we engage with technology. This article introduces The 4 Pillars of Inclusive UX Design—a framework for creating digital products that are not just usable but transformative. From the Longevity UX Matrix to the Global UX Playbook, learn how businesses can move beyond outdated Silicon Valley assumptions and build a future where technology works for everyone.
MM#23: Messy First, Polished Later: The Secret to Getting More Done
Perfectionism is often mistaken for excellence, but it’s a productivity killer. It leads to burnout, procrastination, and a constant feeling of never being “done.” We convince ourselves that one more edit will make all the difference, but the return on that effort is often minimal.
Beyond the Rating: How to Advocate, Realign, and Thrive During Review Season
Performance reviews can feel daunting, especially when feedback doesn’t align with your self-perception. This article explores how to advocate for yourself, realign expectations, and turn review season into a catalyst for growth and clarity.
How Great Design Leaders Win Stakeholders with Powerful Storytelling
Great design leaders don’t just create products—they craft narratives that inspire action. Storytelling isn’t just a soft skill; it’s a strategic tool that aligns teams, wins stakeholders, and drives real impact. By shaping how ideas are communicated, designers can turn vision into reality, influence decision-making, and propel organizations forward. The best designs don’t just speak—they tell a story.
Corporations Are Living Systems, Not Machines: Ditching the Machine Mentality for a More Human-Centered Future
For too long, businesses have been designed like machines—rigid, optimized for efficiency, and resistant to change. But organizations are not static systems; they are living ecosystems that thrive on adaptability, collaboration, and continuous evolution. In this article, I break down the signs of a machine mindset, how it holds companies back, and practical ways to build an organization that is dynamic, resilient, and future-ready.
Transforming Design into Business Strategy: A Practical Guide for Middle Managers and Senior ICs
The real battleground for design influence isn’t the C-suite—it’s middle management. As a design leader, you shape how design is perceived, prioritized, and funded within your organization. But to drive real business impact, you must move beyond usability and tie design to KPIs, revenue, and efficiency. Learn how to position design as a business driver, not just a service.
Why I Ditched My To-Do List for a Done List (And Never Looked Back)
Ditching my to-do list for a done list changed everything. Instead of measuring my worth by unchecked boxes, I now track what actually happened—big or small. It’s a reality check, a mindset shift, and a confidence boost all in one. Life unfolds in the messy middle, and a done list helps me see progress, not just productivity. Ready to rewrite your own narrative? Let’s dive in.
Pruning for Growth: The Art and Discipline of Critique in a Remote World
Great critique is like pruning a bonsai—done with care, it strengthens ideas without stifling creativity. In a remote world, feedback must be intentional, structured, and inclusive. This article explores the roots of critique, a framework for thoughtful feedback, and how to cultivate a thriving critique culture in distributed teams. 🌳
What High Performers Do Differently & How to Train Yourself to Become One
High performers aren’t just talented—they train their minds, habits, and energy to consistently achieve exceptional results. Whether in business, sports, creativity, or leadership, they follow specific patterns of thinking and behavior that set them apart. Research from performance psychologists, business leaders, and neuroscientists has identified core strategies that drive success—and the good news is, you can train yourself to do the same.
Balancing Speed and Safety: Building Trust in Expansion Mode
In high-growth organizations, psychological safety is the foundation for innovation and high performance. When teams feel safe to take risks and learn from failure, they create, not just execute. I explore five key strategies to build trust while scaling: Curiosity Over Perfection, Guardrails, Not Roadblocks, Two-Way Feedback, Shared Ownership, and Intentional Pauses. When teams feel safe, they push boundaries and drive impact.
Building Bridges to Make an Impact as a New Leader
Starting a new leadership role in design can be both exciting and challenging. As a new leader, it’s essential to build strong connections between design and business objectives, while shaping a vision that aligns with the company’s mission. In my latest article, I share my approach to creating impact in a new organization by focusing on aligning design with business goals, fostering collaboration, and empowering emerging leaders. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role or scaling a design team, these strategies will help you navigate the transition and drive lasting change in your organization. Read on to discover how you can build bridges for success and set the foundation for impactful design leadership.
Designing AI for Equity: The New Imperative for Interaction Design
AI is shaping the future—but is it reinforcing the past? From hiring algorithms to personalized pricing, AI systems often mirror historical biases, deepening inequities instead of solving them. Designing for equity means embedding fairness, transparency, and human oversight into AI. The future of AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about trust.
Exploring New Frontiers: Equipping Design Teams with Tools, Tips, and Strategies for the AI Era
Are you a design leader navigating the challenges of proving design's value and staying ahead in an AI-driven world? My latest article offers practical advice on aligning design with business strategy, preventing headcount loss, and integrating AI into workflows. Discover actionable tips to empower your team, enhance efficiency, and position design as a critical driver of innovation and success.
Redefining the Story – Embracing Your Multi-Dimensional Self
In a recent conversation with my daughter, I was reminded of the societal pressures that shape our perceptions. When she told me that math was “a boy thing,” it sparked a deeper reflection on how we, especially women, are often expected to choose between different parts of ourselves—whether that’s career, motherhood, or personal fulfillment. From fictional characters like Miranda Priestly to real-life figures like Indra Nooyi, women are portrayed in roles that often demand sacrifices across different facets of their identities. Yet, I’ve come to realize that real fulfillment doesn’t come from choosing one identity over another—it’s about embracing the integration of all aspects of who we are.
Your Career Is a Recipe: The Design of Mastery, Balance, and Growth
Growing up in India, kitchens were my classrooms, where resilience, creativity, and preparation were stirred into life lessons. Watching women transform simple ingredients into unforgettable meals taught me the power of intention. Today, as a design leader, I see parallels between cooking and crafting careers—both require vision, adaptability, and a balance of skills to create something meaningful and impactful.
Designers: The Cost-Effective Consultants Hiding in Plain Sight
Parenting has been one of my greatest teachers in design leadership. It’s shown me how to navigate complexity, foster resilience, and balance empathy with structure. Much like guiding teams, parenting is about understanding context, building trust, and embracing imperfection as part of growth. These lessons continue to shape how I lead with purpose and design impactful solutions in an ever-changing world.
Parenthood as a Leadership Blueprint
Parenting has taught me invaluable lessons about navigating ambiguity, resilience, and fostering trust—skills that translate seamlessly to leading complex organizations. By embracing imperfection, building relationships, and creating safe spaces for expression, I’ve learned to guide through uncertainty with clarity and compassion. Both parenting and leadership thrive on patience, adaptability, and connection.
Unlocking Talent Excellence - Tips for Senior Managers to Hire the Best Talent
Discover strategies for senior managers to hire exceptional talent with empathy, foresight, and structured methodologies. From defining the ideal candidate profile to crafting thoughtful offers, this guide explores inclusive job descriptions, dynamic interview processes, and best practices for onboarding. Equip yourself with tools and insights to build high-performing teams and elevate organizational success.