Laura Baker’s Post

Scaling --> often misunderstood as simply a numbers game Of course, numbers will always be an element But no matter the team size / budget in place — there will always be an element of flying the plane while building it So really scaling design needs to be thought of as embedding design thinking (and practice) throughout an organisation. It requires leaders to be skilled in Design AND Change Management To focus on strategic alignment as a means of allowing semi-autonomous teams to solve challenges — while maintaining cohesion. Ultimately: Preserved quality & success = guiding principles > outright control ------- Where have you best seen Design scaled / how? #Design #Leadership #DesignLeadership

There's no 1 trick when it comes to being a great boss But there is 1 pattern I have noticed The thing that all great bosses I've spoken to have in common: —> They have all had an incredible boss themselves That one (or more) person that has helped to shape them and their career. Whether we realise it or not We emulate the behaviours / actions / values of our previous leaders (both good & bad) These are lessons that a book, course or degree will never teach They only come with first hand experience of effective leadership Good bosses create good employees, but great bosses create future (great) leaders. ------- What's one lesson that you have taken from an old boss? #DesignLeadership #Leadership

- 1 day - 1 week - 1 month - 1 year Design can always add value We once ran a project with the brief (from a JIRA ticket): ‘Create these specified screens for a <X> chatbot’ - Designs to be done within 3 days - No budget or time for research - We already know what we need 🙃🙃🙃 So what did we do? - We got to work with desk research - We left the office and walked into local shops and interviewed staff - We created a hypothesis - We created quick click-though prototypes - We stood outside the local supermarket with scratchcards and chocolate to get testers By the time we delivered at the end of day 3, we had so many new insights along with recommendations for further research, we were given another 2 weeks to finalise. Design can always add value Good Design doesn’t slow you down, it speeds you up And not only can it speed you up It will help you answer questions you didn’t even think to ask :) ———— Any similar stories? Would love to hear them? #Design

PSA: To those starting to grow Design teams again — please be intentional The market is still very shaky on the whole But there are some green shoots If we are able to learn anything from what we have experienced over the last year or so And if we want impact and relative prosperity I think we need to look past current easy growth opportunities and do the hard work We can’t just expand Design teams We need to: - figure out what is needed to operate - align Design with the way that the org defines value - understand expectations - set long terms goals and figure out the quick value wins (and how you demonstrate them) - determine how Design is most effectively organised (engagement wise) - create the right levels of management - ascertain how designers are set up for success / delivery None of it is easy and all require time, money and commitment But without those things, big Design teams will just look bloated to those on the outside And we’ll struggle to build the Design maturity we strive for ———— TLDR — Focus on building lasting capabilities rather than filling seats! #Design #DesignLeadership #DesignMaturity

5 things that make an effective leader in my books Curious to see how they align with other people’s views 1. They create spaces to learn & fail (for themselves and the team) 2. They are willing to fight & stand up for what they believe 3. They embrace the feeling of imposture syndrome 4. They balance team and companies needs 5. They bring people together What are you adding as #6? #Leadership #Design

Often when you start something new, you won’t see anything change for a while If you plant seeds you can’t see them But with the right constant steps, they will be activating, sprouting etc You just can’t see it all until it breaks through the soil Same with big project work It may just feel like a battle It may not look / feel like anything is changing or happening in the first few months. But keep going, you are laying the foundations for the seed to sprout Manage the expectations of others and your own If you are taking the right steps, it will start to take shape 💙 #RandomWeekendMotivation

“No amount of ‘business language’ will get ‘the seat’ for Design” Thought I’d share a fun recent chat….. Everyone loves a ‘seat at the table’ chat right?! 😁 Overview as follows: - There are typically a number of ways that Design can positively impact the bottom line - But it is often difficult to fully attribute that clear and measurable impact to Design in most orgs - Therefore there’s no requirement for Design to have meaningful P&L accountability // a seat at the top - And any calls for it will fall on deaf ears - That isn’t to say that Design isn’t valued - But unless the org has chosen to ‘play to win’ through quality Design and have identified it as a competitive advantage - (Or a founder comes from a Design background) - It just won’t be a fundamental aspect of how the business operates Thoughts? What do you think — should a CDO role be (more) common place? #Design #DesignLeadership #DesignMaturity

If you are starting out in the Design industry - be prepared for 'everything' to change - the way we work - what we work on - the tools we use - etc etc will not stay the same over the coming year (never has). What will remain is Design at it’s core being about problem solving So focus in on that Put time into become a good storyteller Learn to adapt and deal with complexity // ambiguity Hard skills are important but have diminishing returns Both in the context of the industry and in terms of career stages & growth. As you gain seniority, whilst important they become table stakes You will differentiate yourself with the ‘softer’ skills (Whether you end up as an IC or manager) So focus on those areas :) ———— What are you adding as advice to those starting out? #Design

#DesignTea7 - Design Leadership edition Might have had a few tea spillages here :) What Martin and I covered: - failure around stretching a vision too far - Design as part of the C-Suite - understanding the means of production - needs around Design leadership - questions Design execs should be asking now when interviewing If you disagree with anything, let us know! If you have feedback or ideas, let me know also! Always just looking at how I can add value with these episodes ———— If you are interested in seeing some of the parts of the conversation that I had to cut out, let me know. Personally think there were lots of interesting tidbits from Martin in this one! #Design #DesignTea #DesignLeadership

You don’t solve a complex problem by simplifying it. If you are able to simplify it, it probably wasn't that complex to start with. There is a need to simplify things sometimes to make them accessible for others But it can come with dangers You first have to: - focus on the problem - understand the problem - assess the ecosystem around it This is what makes Service Design and Discovery so important. We are still able to "simplify" and solve but with much greater confidence By identifying, defining and prioritising key aspects of the problem You don’t just jump into the black hole with the blinkers on. #Design #ServiceDesign