Leadership and Management
As a design manager, my leadership style is rooted in fostering collaboration, inspiring innovation, and driving projects to successful completion. I am committed to not only achieving high-quality design outcomes but also to cultivating a supportive and dynamic team environment.
My Approach
The core of my approach to leadership and management can be broken into a few key areas:
- Strategic Team Leadership: Excel in guiding and mentoring a diverse team of designers and freelancers, focusing on individual strengths to enhance team performance and project outcomes. I prioritize building strong, trust-based relationships with my team. By actively listening and empathizing, I create a supportive workspace where every voice is heard and valued, fostering a sense of belonging and team unity.
- Effective Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex design projects from inception to delivery, ensuring they align with strategic business goals and are completed within set timelines and budgets.
- Collaborative Communication: Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams, C-level executives, and stakeholders, bridging the gap between creative vision and business objectives.
- Culture of Innovation and Growth: Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the team, encouraging the exploration of new ideas and techniques in design.
- Brand Stewardship: As a steward of the Moz brand, I lead with a vision that aligns with the brand’s core values and objectives. My focus is not just on maintaining the brand's essence but also on evolving it in a way that resonates with our evolving audience, ensuring brand integrity and relevance.
These leadership skills underscore my ability to not only lead design projects but also to cultivate a team environment that encourages growth, innovation, and a shared vision of success.
Professional Outcomes
For a while I actually wasn't sure I wanted to get into management, considering a path that kept me as an independent contributor. That was ignoring the satisfaction I had when I successfully managed vendors or junior team members to achieve a successful outcome. Or when I provided key feedback to someone I was working with that made the project better than before.
Of course as a Senior Designer, I needed to have leadership qualities anyway. And I took on the responsibility for all my projects, guiding them through to completion. Before that as a contractor and freelancer, I had to direct all my own projects, manage clients, manage vendors, and provide plenty of creative leadership.
So it was a natural transition when the opportunity arose to take on leadership on the design team, and officially take on a Manager title (I am currently very much like an Art Director, maybe a little bit of a Creative Director). I have thrived in this role. Managing a team is hard, but fulfilling (in it's own little way, like being a parent). Seeing the growth and success of the people on my team is a great feeling, as is being able to guide the group to accomplishing something together that can't be done alone. I see this as my path forward, and I'm looking forward to more opportunities.