Design management, a transition from a 20-year individual contributor role, involves balancing the perspectives of designers and leadership. A core principle is fostering team health through trust, honest feedback, and psychological safety, offering both asynchronous and live contribution methods. Being a player-coach means actively participating in design work while mentoring the team. Effective delegation is a nuanced process, not a binary choice, adapting to project importance and individual experience. Managers must consciously avoid becoming bottlenecks by documenting knowledge and empowering others. Clearing the path for the team involves filtering distractions, reducing ambiguity, and absorbing organizational tension. Implementing just enough process, rather than excessive bureaucracy, guides work effectively and encourages designer autonomy. The satisfaction of management comes from enabling the team's success and growth, often through indirect wins. Maintaining a touch of personal humor and lightheartedness can significantly contribute to team morale and psychological safety. This journey in design management is ongoing, with continuous learning and evolving perspectives.