A Framework for Shared Design Leadership: How Design Managers and Lead Designers Can Work Together
By
Tom Shannon
Summary
This article explores the distinct yet complementary roles of Design Managers and Lead Designers in tech organizations. It presents a holistic framework for shared design leadership, arguing that these roles focus on different aspects — the Design Manager tends to team capabilities, process, and organizational health, while the Lead Designer focuses on user problems, solution quality, and craft. Rather than creating confusion or territorial disputes, the article advocates for a model where both roles work in tandem to multiply impact, using real-world scenarios and practical guidance for making the partnership effective.
Source
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe relationship between a Design Manager and Lead Designer isn't about dividing territories. It's about multiplying impact.
When both roles understand they're tending to different aspects of the same garden, the whole team flourishes.
Same room, same problem, completely different lenses.
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