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.
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. 🌳
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.