What does it take to become an effective design manager? For Ted Goas, who has been a design manager since 2022, the journey to self-discovery has been filled with valuable lessons and insights. With over 20 years of experience as an individual contributor before moving into management, Goas has learned the importance of being a bridge between leaders and ICs, helping both parties understand each other’s perspectives. In this article, we’ll explore Goas’s management values and strategies for success, and what we can learn from his experiences.
Building a Healthy Team Culture
Creating an Environment of Trust and Open Communication
Trust and honest feedback are essential components of a healthy team culture. Goas emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This can be achieved by fostering open communication and collaboration, and by leading by example. For instance, Goas recalls a time when he encouraged his team to share their concerns and feedback, which led to a significant improvement in team dynamics and productivity.
Strategies for fostering open communication include regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and encouraging feedback and criticism. By creating a safe and supportive environment, team members are more likely to feel comfortable taking risks and experimenting with new ideas. As Goas notes, “When team members feel trusted and supported, they’re more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.”
Setting Realistic Expectations and Priorities
Managing bandwidth and avoiding overcommitting team members is crucial for maintaining a healthy team culture. Goas stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations and priorities, and encouraging experimentation and learning from failure. By doing so, team members can focus on important work without feeling overwhelmed or undervalued. For example, Goas suggests using tools like prioritization matrices to help teams focus on the most critical tasks and avoid unnecessary work.
Vulnerability is also a key aspect of leadership, as it allows team members to feel comfortable sharing their concerns and feedback. By being open and transparent, leaders can build trust and create a culture of accountability and responsibility. As Goas notes, “Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and courage.”
The Value of Being a Player-Coach
Balancing Design Work and Leadership Responsibilities
Doing some design work himself is essential for Goas, as it allows him to stay close to the craft and provide valuable guidance to his team. By balancing people problems and craft problems, Goas can ensure that his team is producing high-quality work while also feeling supported and motivated. For instance, Goas recalls a time when he worked alongside his team on a critical project, which helped him understand the challenges they faced and provide more effective guidance.
Staying involved in important projects without micromanaging is also crucial. By finding the right balance, leaders can provide guidance and support while also giving team members the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. As Goas notes, “The key is to be involved enough to provide guidance, but not so involved that you’re doing the work for them.”
Delegation and Involvement in Critical Projects
Delegation is an important aspect of leadership, as it allows team members to take ownership of their work and develop new skills. By delegating tasks and providing guidance and support, leaders can help team members grow and develop while also ensuring that important work is being done. For example, Goas suggests using delegation frameworks to help teams prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively.
However, it’s also important for leaders to be involved in critical projects, as this allows them to provide guidance and support while also ensuring that the work is meeting the required standards. By finding the right balance between delegation and involvement, leaders can ensure that their team is producing high-quality work while also feeling supported and motivated. As Goas notes, “The key is to delegate effectively, but also to be involved enough to provide guidance and support when needed.”
Clearing the Path for Success
Filtering Out Noise and Ambiguity
Prioritizing tasks and filtering out non-essential work is crucial for maintaining focus and momentum. By clarifying goals and expectations, leaders can help their team stay on track and avoid distractions. For instance, Goas suggests using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to help teams prioritize tasks and focus on the most critical work.
Protecting team focus is also essential, as it allows team members to concentrate on important work without feeling overwhelmed or undervalued. By absorbing tension between different stakeholders and communicating changes in priorities, leaders can help their team stay focused and motivated. As Goas notes, “The key is to prioritize effectively, and to communicate clearly and transparently with the team.”
Managing Tension and Priorities
Absorbing tension between different stakeholders is an important aspect of leadership, as it allows leaders to manage competing priorities and expectations. By communicating changes in priorities and facilitating decision-making, leaders can help their team stay focused and motivated. For example, Goas suggests using stakeholder mapping to help teams identify and manage competing priorities and expectations.
The role of the design manager in facilitating decision-making is also crucial. By providing guidance and support, leaders can help their team make informed decisions and take ownership of their work. As Goas notes, “The key is to facilitate decision-making, rather than making decisions for the team.”
Finding the Right Balance of Process and Creativity
The Importance of Just Enough Process
Implementing process without stifling creativity is essential for maintaining a healthy team culture. By finding the right balance, leaders can provide structure and guidance while also giving team members the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. For instance, Goas suggests using agile methodologies to help teams prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively.
The role of structure in guiding work without overwhelming the team is also crucial. By providing just enough process, leaders can help their team stay focused and motivated while also allowing for creativity and innovation. As Goas notes, “The key is to find the right balance between process and creativity, and to be flexible and adaptable as needed.”
Encouraging Autonomy and Decision-Making
Empowering team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work is essential for maintaining a healthy team culture. By fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility, leaders can help their team feel motivated and engaged. For example, Goas suggests using decision-making frameworks to help teams make informed decisions and take ownership of their work.
Trust is also a key aspect of leadership, as it allows team members to feel comfortable taking risks and experimenting with new ideas. By providing guidance and support, leaders can help their team develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed. As Goas notes, “The key is to trust the team, and to provide the guidance and support they need to succeed.”
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Reflections on the Journey So Far
Goas’s journey as a design manager has been filled with valuable lessons and insights. By reflecting on his experiences, we can learn the importance of building a healthy team culture, being a player-coach, and finding the right balance of process and creativity. As Goas notes, “The key is to be open to learning and growth, and to be willing to adapt and evolve as needed.”
Lessons learned from Goas’s experience include the importance of trust, honest feedback, and realistic expectations. By applying these lessons to our own experiences, we can improve our leadership skills and create a healthier team culture. As Goas notes, “The key is to learn from our mistakes, and to use those lessons to improve and grow.”
Advice for Aspiring Design Managers
For those looking to transition into a design management role, Goas offers several pieces of advice. First, it’s essential to build a strong team culture by fostering trust, open communication, and collaboration. Second, being a player-coach is crucial, as it allows leaders to stay close to the craft and provide valuable guidance to their team. Finally, finding the right balance of process and creativity is essential for maintaining a healthy team culture and ensuring that team members feel motivated and engaged. As Goas notes, “The key is to be open to learning and growth, and to be willing to adapt and evolve as needed.”
Looking Ahead
In conclusion, Goas’s journey as a design manager offers valuable lessons and insights for industry professionals. By building a healthy team culture, being a player-coach, and finding the right balance of process and creativity, leaders can create a positive and productive work environment. As we look to the future, it’s essential to remember the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, and to be open to new challenges and opportunities. As Goas notes, “The key is to stay curious, and to always be looking for ways to improve and grow.”
By applying the lessons learned from Goas’s experience, we can improve our leadership skills and create a healthier team culture. Whether you’re a seasoned design manager or just starting out, the principles outlined in this article can help you navigate the challenges of leadership and create a positive and productive work environment. So, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your own experiences as a leader? How do you prioritize your team’s needs and create a healthy team culture? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.