Portfolio > Leadership and management
This collection will give you a sense of who I am as a leader and manager.
As a manager or leader, I have …
Established a team from scratch
Supervised all aspects of hiring
Inherited a team from a reorg
Managed multiple teams
Reported directly to the VP of design
Contributed to and supported the development of culture and operations
Influenced strategy and provided thought leadership
Served alongside directors on the leadership team for a 40-person design org
Provided coaching, mentorship, and leadership to a 24-person design team
Handled interpersonal conflicts and team performance issues
Handled layoffs and their aftermath
Addressed team burnout
Collaborated with direct reports to support their goals and career development
By the numbers
2 years as a manager, with a total of 4 direct reports
4 years as a team lead responsible for assigning work, owning priorities, and coaching people
7 years as a mentor, especially to junior teammates
Influences and inspiration
Quotes
“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
“Leadership is not about the use of power. It’s not about being in a place in an org. It’s not about owning projects or people. Leadership at its heart is, ‘How do I leverage the trust that’s been given to me by the people who will follow?’ ”
Books
Trainings
LifeLabs Learning’s Leadership for Managers Course
Topics included effective 1-1s, feedback skills, prioritization, and communication
IBM’s Enterprise Design Thinking Training
LUMA Institute’s Design Thinking Essentials
One-minute stories
1️⃣ The power of curiosity in difficult conversations
When I was at IBM and supervising a team of designers, it became noticeable that one member of the group was increasingly struggling. They missed deadlines, overlooked details, and dropped commitments. Then one day, they left for vacation without submitting a deliverable they were responsible for, and zero communication about it.
I prioritized the immediate, blocking problem of getting the needed deliverable, while deciding the bigger issues could wait. So I reached the designer and got the deliverable, but held back from questioning or scolding them. It wasn’t the right time or space for that.
After they returned to work, I initiated a conversation. I led with the things I’d noticed in their performance, presented as observations not layered with any judgment. And then I asked, “What’s going on?”
A jumble of problems came pouring out, all things they were dealing with outside of work, including an extra stressful family conflict. I listened and asked questions. Not to be their therapist, but to make sure they felt acknowledged and knew I cared. As I guided the conversation back to work and the team, we discussed options and a plan. In the weeks that followed, their performance, communication, and morale were light years improved.
Many managers might’ve torn into that designer, but I don’t lead with anger or fear. There is so much more value in curiosity. By going into a difficult conversation with curiosity, I established trust. Accountability relies on trust, and both were necessary to get this designer back on track.
2️⃣ What I’m most proud of
Toward the end of time at Mural, one of my direct reports was going through the exercise of gathering and saving things for their own portfolio. And they shared this reflection:
Throughout the process, there was one, surprising sensation that expanded and grew with each project I landed on (many that I’d forgotten about): Damn, I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve done some kick-ass work in my time here.
I remember reading that and beaming. It was one of those uncontrollable, ear-to-ear smiles. 😊 Because that right there is kind of thing I ultimately measure my success by. While projects come and go, cycling between fanfare and forgotten, what’s enduring is the impact a leader has on peoples’ lives. I’m an exceptional hands-on practitioner, but when my UX career is finished some day, I want my legacy to be about the human connections it elevated. Whatever else I achieved at Mural, I am so proud my direct report felt that way about their growth and accomplishments.