Design leadership often falls into the trap of confusing activity with real impact. You might see teams that look functional on the surface but struggle to align with evolving organizational demands. This issue hit home as a design manager at Meta, where quick shifts in priorities led to constant context switching and noticeable burnout among […]
Author Archives: dr.faslebbie
Tetrahedral Model: Building Stronger Ties in Product Teams
I’ve been reflecting on how the key to strong product organizations often lies beyond just assembling talented people. It’s about the quality of interactions- how people connect and interact within the work environment. Often, as leaders, we pour energy into building strong teams in Product, Engineering, Design, and Research, and that makes perfect sense, since […]
Building a Design Handbook That Actually Works
You know that urge to pull out your old playbook when you step into a new design leadership role? I’ve felt it too: ignoring failed strategies, carrying proven approaches from past companies, only to watch them fall flat. It turns out those solutions, solid as they seemed before, often clash with the new environment. They […]
Building Trust Through Five Clear Expectations
After eight years leading design teams, I’ve learned good intentions only get you so far. Hiring sharp people, handing them interesting problems, and mostly staying out of their way was enough. Some designers bloom in that space. Most quietly drift, feeling their work exists in a vacuum, disconnected from strategy, impact, or even recognition. Over […]
My Commitments to a Design Team
You might think leadership means having all the answers, but in my experience, it’s more about shaping the relationships and conditions that let others shine in their work. Over years leading design teams, I’ve found that strong leadership often comes down to setting clear commitments and sticking to them. These aren’t just words; they appear […]