Org Design for Design Orgs: Building and Managing In-House Design Teams

by Peter Merholz

Level 4 requires confidence in coordinating with peers in business and technology to not just understand and implement against someone else’s strategy, but to craft that strategy. These leaders oversee a set of concurrent workstreams, requiring not only broad creative leadership, but a comfort in establishing process and conducting planning. Core skills Unlike previous levels, mastery of core design skills is not the primary marker of professional growth. Yes, team members should continue their mastery, but the reality is that in order for them to excel, it’s less about how well they practice their skills, and more about how they lead others through the delivery of great design work. Soft skills A shrinking violet will struggle leading multiple teams and coordinating with accomplished peers across functions. To succeed at this level requires developing the soft skill of projecting confidence and even exhibiting swagger. This isn’t about cockiness or arrogance — that kind of overbearing display turns people away.