Radical Softness: Transforming Team Dynamics and UX Leadership

UX Leadership By Design

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Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 2 of UX Leadership By Design. In this episode, Mark speaks with Mollie Cox, Director of Product Design at Fleet.io and Adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mollie shares her career journey and the connection between her early career, playing hopscotch, teaching, and leadership style. She emphasizes the value of teaching practical skills. Mollie also discusses the concept of radical softness, using our emotions as a strength and not a weakness. She also explains how she carves out time for growth and mentorship within her design team, aligning individual goals with organizational goals. Mollie's commitment to designer growth is evident in her approach to leadership and mentorship. All leaders can learn a tremendous amount from Mollie's leadership style and ethos "Grow my people".
Takeaways

• Teaching practical skills is important in design education to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.
• Radical softness in leadership involves being open, authentic, and transparent, while empowering team members.
• Aligning individual goals with organizational goals helps create a sense of purpose and growth within the team.
• Carving out time for growth and mentorship is crucial for talent retention and development.

Topics covered

• Radical Softness in Leadership - Discusses the concept of using emotions as strengths in leadership and management.
• Design Team Growth and Mentorship - Covers strategies for personal and professional development within design teams.
• Aligning Goals with Organizational Objectives - Explores how individual aspirations can support broader company goals.
• Teaching Practical Skills in Design - Highlights the importance of practical education in bridging the gap between theory and application.
• Emotional Intelligence in Design - Addresses the role of emotional awareness in design leadership and teamwork.
• Career Development in Product Design - Provides insights into navigating career paths and advancement in the design field.
• Challenges in Design Education - Discusses the obstacles and rewards of teaching and learning design.
• Empowerment through Transparent Leadership - Examines how openness and authenticity foster team empowerment.
• Applying Classroom Learnings to Professional Work - Shares examples of translating academic concepts into workplace solutions.
• Retention and Talent Development - Looks at the importance of nurturing talent for long-term retention and team success.

Links

• Mollie on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliecox/
• Mollie mentoring on ADList https://adplist.org/mentors/mollie-cox
  

• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbaldino/
• Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy: https://fuzzymath.com/