I believe that leading people is very different from managing them—and that it takes more than just being great at design to lead other designers. It takes strong values, a set of consistent principles, and a flexible, scalable toolkit to pass down to the team.
Values align who we are with what we do. My values are qualities that I expect both from myself, and from those I interact with. I’ve narrowed down my two core values that I never compromise—ever.
I do what I say I’ll do. When I don’t, I own up to it, and learn from it (judgment-free). This value is about holding myself and others to a high standard of integrity.
I treat others well, and I expect to be treated well. This value isn’t only centered on a “golden rule”—to me, it’s about equity and accessibility as well. There is no greater respect than to pave the way for everyone to contribute.
These principles are my “rules” that keep my leadership practices in alignment with my values. Like my values, these principles are non-negotiable, and have always helped me achieve a culture of camaraderie, purpose, and trust.
Fact: People don’t all work the same. I ensure individual working styles and needs are heard and honored immediately, so that my team does their best work.
People feel most connected to their work when they feel aligned to a clear purpose. My teams build camaraderie and meaning right off the bat by collaborating on a team vision & design principles together.
While I’m also a believer in delegation, I know how important it is to lead by example. I keep my skills sharp, and a pulse on industry developments. I’m able to jump in and get my hands dirty when the need arises.
Design thrives when it’s not stuck in a vacuum. To keep learning and scaling, we integrate diverse insights from our customers, from each other, and from the world around us. I’m all about open, iterative collaboration—genius can come from anywhere.
Building big things means having a solid framework. We build products with reusable components, and nurture brands with clear guidelines. A consistent, atomic language system lets everyone—designers and non-designers alike—scale creations quickly and easily.
The heart of great design is genuine connection with our customers and users. We bust our own assumptions wide open through user research and data-driven design. This helps us simplify the complex and craft human and relatable experiences.
Dissent is essential for diversity of thought. When teams challenge the status quo, they demonstrate psychological safety and unleash innovation. I make space for dissent—whether it’s a dedicated chunk of meeting time, or a whole workshop.
