Leading by design has been one of my passions throughout my journey, and along the way, I have realized and adopted a very important element of leadership: to inspire and be inspired.
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with talented and diverse teams from different parts of the world and mentor and coach junior designers. I have also learned from different leaders who have inspired me with their vision and values.
Here are my five principles on how I advocate to make a positive difference in people’s life.
Listen
Listening is the first step to understanding and an essential part of the process of learning. Although, to truly empathize, it is important to also “listen” visually (by observing) and emotionally (by being present). Without that, assumptions can lead to misconceptions and lost connections, leaving you to rely solely on luck.
Listening also means being open and humble, unafraid to fail or be wrong, and willing to evolve during the process, embracing the fact that there is always something new to learn.
Transparency
Building trust and establishing a solid communication channel are invaluable for the success of any team and project. It is important to ensure that everyone is on the same page, speaking the same language, and moving together in the same direction and to the same goal.
Only then it is possible to break down silos, build relationships, and support each other, so we can continue to grow and evolve as individuals, and as part of a team or organization.
Adapt
Challenges are a part of life, and to stay focused, positive, and move forward it is important to cultivate a sense of flexibility and adaptability, meaning being open to new ideas, willing to change direction when necessary, and finding alternatives when faced with obstacles. Sometimes, it might also mean taking a step back or even stopping completely to reassess the goals and find a new path forward.
Foresight
Being able to predict and prepare for future events is a super useful skill. Different from guessing, it is based on data and it means being able to analyze trends, spot potential risks and opportunities, and come up with plans to tackle them.
It is only possible if knowing the industry or field really well, being willing to think outside the box, and consider different contexts and scenarios. It is important to stay on top of known and latest developments and technologies and be ready to reassess any assumptions and strategies as things change. It's a long-term game that takes effort and commitment, but the payoffs can be huge.
Progressive
Requires to be curious and eager to learn from different sources and perspectives, and to experiment with different methods and tools to create products or services that are not only functional and beautiful but also meaningful, making a positive difference in people’s life.
It is not only about innovation but finding significant ways to improve positively our society.