Design Leadership: How Top Design Leaders Build and Grow Successful Organizations

What does it take to be the leader of a design firm or group? We often assume they have all the answers, but in this rapidly evolving industry they’re forced to find their way like the rest of us. So how do good design leaders manage? If you lead a design group, or want to understand the people who do, this insightful book explores behind-the-scenes strategies and tactics from leaders of top design companies throughout North America.

Based on scores of interviews he conducted over a two-year period—from small companies to massive corporations like ESPN—author Richard Banfield covers a wide range of topics, including:

• How design leaders create a healthy company culture
• Innovative ways for attracting and nurturing talent
• Creating productive workspaces, and handling remote employees
• Staying on top of demands while making time for themselves
• Consistent patterns among vastly different leadership styles
• Techniques and approaches for keeping the work pipeline full
• Making strategic and tactical plans for the future
• Mistakes that design leaders made—and how they bounced back

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Culture
Chapter 2. Talent
Chapter 3. Office Space and Remote Working
Chapter 4. Personal Growth and Finding Balance
Chapter 5. Planning for the Future
Chapter 6. Leadership Styles
Chapter 7. Sales and Marketing
Chapter 8. Learning from Our Biggest Mistakes