Mia Blume’s Post

How does shared leadership in design look like? Since design is often conceptualized as a collaborative or participatory endeavor, it's quite peculiar that there isn't that much literature on how this ethos could manifest itself in management / leadership. I hope you'll find this article, in which I look at shared leadership in design projects, useful and interesting. A huge thanks to Ken Friedman, Jin Ma, and Alice Comi from She Ji and the anonymous reviewers. Learned a lot from you all during the review process! I'd also like to thank Krista Kosonen, Kalle Kataila, Anna Kholina, Kevin Garvey, and Savu R.. Link to the full issue in the comments! #sharedleadership #design #autoethnography

If you want to scale Design significantly, there’s a trade-off When you focus on scaling headcount, quality and creativity don’t tend to correlate well (in most cases) When you increase headcount + production, volume will likely increase But without effective leadership & planning: - it is easy to lose control - it can all become a bit chaotic - silos & inconsistencies start to appear - process is often not adhered to / reviewed - quality consistency typically flies out the window - design becomes a service rather than part of a strategy The only way I think it really works is by flipping the mindset of what scaling Design means From → increasing the number of Designers To → increasing the number of people in the organisation that adopt ‘Design mindsets’ wherever they sit To me that’s the only way for Design to truly scale sustainably ———— ** just speaking from what I have seen and the conversations I’ve had. Happy to be challenged on this! #Design #Leadership #Scale

Five words to burn a design brief to the ground: (and cost tens of thousands in the process) 1) Prototype Functionality of ‘works-like’, fidelity of ‘looks-like’, and capability of ‘interacts-like’ need to be clarified to align expectation. 2) Draft Is a draft 99% complete, or 1% complete? 3) Concept 10 different designers will have 10 different definitions, and the interpretation only varies more outside the discipline. 4) Sketch The fidelity, and more importantly the purpose of a sketch is often mis-aligned. 5) Brainstorm / Workshop Everyone knows what this is… except they are all wrong. ………………. My goal is to regularly share as much of what I have learned from others as an innovation leader as possible. Follow for weekly insights. #design #innovation #leadership

Investing in #design leadership can significantly benefit organizations by fostering a culture of #innovation, enhancing team performance, and improving #customersatisfaction. It involves integrating #designthinking into leadership practices, promoting #diversity, and focusing on #humancentered leadership. This approach can lead to more #creative, #inclusive, and effective design solutions, ultimately contributing to the organisation’s #success. #performanceimprovement #growth #innovation #upskilling

Leadership is more than strategy—it's about connection, empathy, and adaptability. In our latest blog by Sara Musgrove, she dives into the unexpected ways Design Thinking can transform leadership.💡 From its human-centered approach to problem-solving to its focus on curiosity and collaboration, this mindset offers profound lessons for leaders at every level. Key Takeaways: 👥Keep people at the center of your decisions. 🌱Approach challenges with curiosity and a beginner’s mindset. 🎯Prioritize “getting it right” over “being right.” ✨ Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eUacuCda

One of my favorite things to teach is the leadership lessons that we can take from the world of innovation. Check out my recent blog to see just a few of my favorite!

New blog post: I recently attended a session titled "How Design Leaders Stand Out in a Competitive Market," featuring Rachel K. and Kristin Skinner. ------- The event was packed with practical advice for anyone aiming to lead in the design world. I've been grappling with doubts about the value of sharing my knowledge, often questioning its impact. However, Rachel's emphasis on the power of sharing resonated deeply. By openly discussing our expertise, we not only help others but also establish ourselves as thought leaders in our field. This shift in perspective has confirmed my passion for writing and sharing insights. https://lnkd.in/ehtF-C9r #designleadership #thoughtleadership #personaldevelopment #designcommunity #sharingknowledge

When you are unemployed you have time to finish writing things it turns out. I finally finished my article about The Megaphone, and how all leaders speak through them, and when and where we should be cautious with them. If you lead, and didn't realize that you are always talking through a megaphone... well this one is for you! Read it here: #leadership

Change by Design: Design Thinking - Tim Brown. In this book, Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, explores how Design Thinking transforms innovation within organizations. Through practical examples, Brown presents this human-centered methodology that enables companies to tackle problems creatively and effectively. The approach invites teams from various disciplines to collaborate, revitalizing products and services by aligning human needs with viable solutions. This book is essential for creative leaders looking to integrate design thinking at all organizational levels.

When it comes to building the right engineering team, I always look for opportunities to collaborate with others. Any product or system design process is going to be rife with collaboration, meaning there is no room for a “me-over-anyone-else" mentality. In any talent search, the key is to find people who will uplift others rather than constantly looking for opportunities to get ahead at the expense of others. #Leadership #Innovation #Engineering