Design Leadership Insights

By Design Leadership Insights

Design Leadership Insights is a podcast where host Paul, shares real stories, strategies, and lessons learned from building and leading design teams. With over 15 years of experience navigating the co... more

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FAQs about Design Leadership Insights:

How many episodes does Design Leadership Insights have?

The podcast currently has 15 episodes available.

Design Leadership Insights episodes:

March 12, 2025Beyond Basic vs. Premium - Reimagining the Flight Booking Experience
In this episode, I share how my team transformed confusing airline fare options into an intuitive booking experience. Rather than trying to explain complex fare differences, we created a customized approach where travelers select desired features first. By implementing progressive disclosure techniques and focusing on user decision-making patterns, we dramatically improved conversion rates and customer satisfaction. The episode offers five practical takeaways about reframing categorization problems, measuring emotional journeys, and challenging industry conventions.

Key takeaways include:
Reframe complex categorization problems by focusing on user goals first

Implement progressive disclosure techniques to simplify decision-making

Measure emotional journeys alongside traditional conversion metrics

Focus on user decision-making patterns when designing complex flows

Challenge industry conventions when they don't serve user needs
...more
19min
March 05, 2025The Art of Design Critique
In this episode, I reveal how to transform design critiques from anxiety-inducing sessions into catalysts for innovation through a four-part framework: 24-Hour Context Share, 15-Minute Solution Story, Structured Feedback Rounds, and Documented Action Items. Learn to frame feedback as questions and create psychological safety for all team members.

Key takeaways include:
Provide context 24 hours before critique sessions to enable thoughtful preparation

Structure presentations as 15-minute solution stories focused on design decisions

Implement structured feedback rounds with clear roles and guidelines

Document action items and next steps immediately following the critique

Create psychological safety by framing feedback as exploratory questions
...more
12min
February 26, 2025Psychological Safety in Design
In this episode, Paul explores how psychological safety transforms design teams into innovation powerhouses. Learn how a junior designer's breakthrough idea led to a 42% increase in user onboarding completion rates, and discover practical frameworks for creating an environment where team members feel empowered to take creative risks and challenge established patterns.

Key takeaways include:
Reframe failure as learning by documenting lessons from every project

Enable experimentation by dedicating time specifically for exploration

Model vulnerability by sharing works-in-progress and admitting knowledge gaps

Recognize different forms of innovation at all levels of the organization

Create "no-judgment zones" during ideation sessions to foster creative thinking
...more
11min
February 19, 2025The 89% Solution: How to Build and Retain a High-Performing Design Team
In this episode, Paul reveals the strategies behind achieving an impressive 89% retention rate across a global team of 16 designers. Learn about the PETaLS framework for meaningful one-on-ones, creating personalized growth paths, building psychological safety through structured critique, and empowering designers by involving them in the business context behind their work.

Key takeaways include:
Implement a structured framework for one-on-ones that go beyond surface-level updates

Make growth visible through personalized development plans connected to real project opportunities

Create psychological safety through structured critique and feedback processes

Involve designers in business context to help them understand the "why" behind their work

Use the Bridge Principle to connect user needs and business objectives
...more
10min
February 12, 2025Scaling Design Impact: From Solo Contributor to Team Leader
In this first episode, Paul shares how he built a thriving design team of 16 designers across three regions, starting from literally zero. Learn about securing leadership buy-in through data-driven approaches, strategic hiring for long-term impact, building structured design processes that work across time zones, and creating genuine connections in a globally distributed team.

Key takeaways include:
Start with data, not design - gather metrics that speak leadership's language

Document your processes - create a common language that works across time zones

Authentic connections matter more than tools - build personal bonds for resilient remote collaboration

Rotate the burden of time zones - implement a rotating schedule to create mutual respect

Measure everything, but don't let metrics rule - create space for unmeasurable exploration
...more
10min

FAQs about Design Leadership Insights:

How many episodes does Design Leadership Insights have?

The podcast currently has 15 episodes available.