UX Collective | Medium
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Tender leadership with a bit of mischief
The author reflects on leadership and team building, emphasizing the importance of "soft skills" alongside technical abilities. She shares an anecdote where her team, the "Design Queens," wrote "Head (and Heart)" in her job title, signifying a deeper measure of success than traditional metrics. Another story highlights Lidija, a product lead, who declared a "No Day" to protect her mental state, demonstrating self-awareness and honesty. The author recounts building her dream team by intentionally seeking out individuals who were different from herself, fostering a more innovative and dynamic environment. She found that embracing these differences, like hiring Patrycja who was meticulously organized while the author was not, led to personal growth and improved team performance. The team was structured to include diverse skill sets, both hard and soft, enabling them to tackle various client needs and project demands effectively. Specific team members like Patrycja, Agata, Asia, and Justyna are highlighted for their unique strengths, contributing to the team's overall success. The author discusses the importance of rhythm, structure, and strategy in team management. Rhythm involves predictable processes and knowledge sharing, while structure includes clear roles and assigning two designers to projects for better workflow and support. Strategy focuses on understanding needs, finding mutually beneficial solutions, and acknowledging long-term costs, ultimately enabling faster growth and better work-life balance for team members.