My UX Design Management Style

How does a manager help a group of people achieve great outcomes?

What do team members really need from a manager? From experience, all team members must be on the same page. Everyone is working towards a common goal and is looking for:

1. Clear boundaries
2. Stable membership
3. Compelling direction
4. An enabling structure
5. Supportive organizational Context
6. Expert coaching

‍“Problems with coordination and motivation typically chip away at the benefits of collaboration”

• J. Richard Hackman, the late Cahners-Rabb Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology at Harvard University.

So what are the major functions of a manager? Well, I think they can be summed up into three categories: 

• Purpose
• People
• Process

1. Purpose: I ensure that my team knows what success looks like and they care about achieving it. Why does our work matter?
2. People: Are the members of my team set up to succeed? Do they have the right skills? Are they motivated to do great work? Do they work well together?
3. Process: How the team works together. I could have a fantastically talented team who have a clear idea of what the team’s values are; then, even simple tasks can get enormously complicated. Who should do what by when? What principles should govern decision-making? 

I like to approach design reviews/critiques with an open mind and to always be specific about feedback. One of the most important things for designers is to feel comfortable and confident about their job and thrive in the companies design culture.

Team design reviews/critiques can be very insightful for everyone. I always remind my team to look for the following:

• What did we notice first?
• What was clear or confusing?
• What was great? and What would make it even better?

Developing a healthy manager-report relationship and creating an environment of support is so important. A managers job is to get better outcomes from a group of people working together through influencing purpose, people, and process. Trust is the most essential ingredient, which comes from active listening and clear communication.