Here are the set of values I apply to my work, management style and life in general. This list is always expanding and changing as I go through life and learn more~
Leadership Values
People should not be reduced to numbers and metrics: Not every contribution toward collective success can be measured. Pay attention to the often-overlooked efforts that sustain and drive us forward.
Be a multiplier not a micro-manager: Nurture a culture that celebrates and amplifies the distinct strengths that make each person an indispensable part of your team.
Get down in the trenches: A strong leader is works alongside their team, knowing when to inspire and when to respectfully challenge leadership decisions.
Celebrate wins: Don't forget to regularly celebrate and show gratitude for the wins of your team or team members.
Tune your leadership style to the recipient: Recognize that people respond to different styles of leadership. Some thrive on kindness and flexibility, others excel with clear processes and expectations, while some prefer a more clear cut authoritative approach.
Mistakes happen: Avoid nitpicking small mistakes, and when addressing larger errors, take the time to grasp the complete context before drawing any conclusions. People aren't perfect—choose understanding over criticism in most any situation.
Find the system that works: If someone is struggling to fulfill their responsibilities, collaborate with them to establish an effective system that supports their success. This can include identifying barriers, providing training / tools, or offering ongoing support and guidance.
Delegate and trust: Doing others' work doesn't aid long-term growth. Encourage them to learn and grow by entrusting them with responsibilities. If anything, failure is a powerful teacher.
Prioritize: Be mindful not to burden team members with additional tasks without considering what can be removed from their plate.
Employee well-being comes first: Advocate for your team and safeguard boundaries to ensure their health and happiness.
Understand what came before you: Before implementing significant changes, take the time to appreciate and understand the existing processes and procedures. Most rules serve a purpose; discern which ones are worth challenging.
Know when and how to prune your garden: Building a thriving community will come with tough decisions; be ready to navigate complex situations and personalities while captaining your ship.
Set your team up for success: Keep your team informed, share what they are being measured against, and provide the tools.
Levity & gravity: Strike a balance between light-heartedness and seriousness in leadership.
Design Values
Design needs a seat: Ensure design gets a seat at the table as a key part of product development process.
Function comes first: Designs must prioritize structural integrity and practicality above all else. Once functionality is ensured, aesthetics can come into play.
Cross-functional success: Design, product, and development must collaborate closely and share ownership of project success. They should inform each other of possibilities, expectations, and limitations and approve each others work.
Don't get attached to early drafts: Avoid becoming overly attached to your initial design; instead, begin with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Early drafts should remain flexible and receptive to change based on testing results.
Strength in unity: Never underestimate the significance of brand unity and cohesion. Maintaining a consistent design language and style across products and pages fosters reliability and trust.
Design works 2 sprints ahead: Agile workflows should include enough time for full design sprints, generally 2 sprints ahead of development, integrating design as an integral part of the solution rather than viewing it as an obstacle.
Standarize: Select tools, establish repeatable analytics processes, and conduct measurements both before and after design launches.
Data-backed decision making: Base new design decisions on data and research gathered from A/B tests, screen recordings, user testing, and online case studies.
Divergence & convergence: During brainstorming sessions, encourage cycles of divergence and convergence as your team generates ideas—there are no bad ideas in this phase.
Focused time: Designers require uninterrupted blocks of time to focus on their craft—meetings and minor messages should not disrupt their workflow.
Personal Values
The win is in the doing: Before making a decision or addressing a potential conflict, take a moment to accept all outcomes or scenarios your brain may already be inventing. Whether things unfold as desired or not, remember that the true value lies in having taken action.
There are more than 2 options: Few things in life are black and white; there are often more options available than initially apparent. Give yourself the space and time to reflect, think outside the box, and revisit the situation.
Build your own table: Stop waiting to be chosen for a seat at the table, when you can build your own.
Boundary setting: Setting boundaries is crucial in all aspects of life, yet putting that into practice can be challenging. Begin by giving up something influenced by social pressures (ex. alcohol). With time, you'll develop the confidence to prioritize yourself and comfortably say no to more than just that.
Self advocacy: Always advocate for yourself; no one else knows you as well as you do.
Collaboration is key: Together, we can go further and achieve so much more.
Don't gate yourself: There's nothing quite like embracing the person you've always aspired to be. Stop holding yourself back. Discovering and honing what makes you unique is the most rewarding journey of all.
Seek to understand: Recognize that every individual is shaped by their background, upbringing, heritage, life experiences, and fears. Step into their shoes and strive to understand before passing judgment.
No competition: Don't view others as competitors, instead seek inspiration or mentorship from them. The world is wide enough for us all.
Learn to trust your gut: People-pleasing and rebelling are two sides of the same coin—acting in accordance with or against other people's wishes. Learn to trust your own gut.
Get to the book end: Beyond every conflict or pain lies a story waiting to unfold. Trust in the transformative power of time and healing.
Small joys: Don’t rob yourself of small joys in anticipation of a hypothetical future. Hang that painting, even if you plan to move.
Don't hesitate: Many great ideas and actions die in the land of hesitation and overthinking. Don't hold back when switching lanes—understand the current flow and keep moving forward.
Balance: Feminine and masculine qualities are not confined to gender; we all possess varying degrees of their strengths/weaknesses, and balance between them is essential.
Be a safe space: Embrace inclusivity and kindness. Create a safe environment where both longtimers and newcomers feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
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