Various articles I’ve written on design and leadership

Design Team Charter
Michael Smith Michael Smith

Design Team Charter

A document that establishes clear expectations between the team, the organization, and their manager. By creating this charter early on, a team's core values are established and it sets a standard to which they can hold themselves accountable.

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Professional Development: More than Promotions and Raises
Michael Smith Michael Smith

Professional Development: More than Promotions and Raises

Professional Development as a term can be a bit nebulous. Partly because there are a lot of definitions and partly because many companies don't formally encourage this. To help close the understanding gap and have a consistent expectation around the topic, here’s my take.

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Personal User Manual
Michael Smith Michael Smith

Personal User Manual

User manuals might not be a new idea, but their impact is undeniable. They facilitate understanding, enhance communication, and build stronger connections among team members, particularly in today's remote work setting. For leaders, embracing this practice can lead to a more cohesive and effective team dynamic.

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Information Design Balances and Tradeoffs
Michael Smith Michael Smith

Information Design Balances and Tradeoffs

Whenever you’re designing there are tensions and tradeoffs you have to make. Specifically when it comes to information design, the balance needed between tradeoffs can make or break understanding. Here’s a way to think through three tensions with practical application.

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