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.
What Design Leaders Can Learn from Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t a designer, but his leadership offers timeless lessons for design leaders. From crafting a vision rooted in purpose to fostering inclusivity and leading with empathy, his principles align deeply with human-centered design. By embracing resilience, thinking systemically, and empowering teams, design leaders can honor his legacy while shaping a more inclusive future.
Lessons on Leadership I learned from my first manager
Jean Cattell, my first design manager and a legendary Director of Design at The Field Museum, profoundly shaped my journey as a designer and leader. Through her fierce advocacy, high standards, and human-centered approach to leadership, Jean taught me lessons that continue to guide me today. In this tribute, I reflect on her impact and share three timeless principles she embodied: fostering autonomy to build belonging, understanding the power of contribution to drive performance, and setting the tone for good behavior. Read on to discover how Jean's legacy can inspire design leaders and teams to thrive.