How to lead a growing team well in stormy times? When your government falls apart and parliament skips deciding on a budget for the work your team does? That\u2019s what I\u2019m trying to figure out while in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting together in the design and user research discipline is vital\u2014to reflect on the year, check in on how we are, and discuss priorities for the coming year. The in-person exchange is essential as we work embedded in multidisciplinary teams across vastly different service areas\u2014from justice to taxes to family benefits. Without it, some people would never meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Monday afternoon, we had a festive onsite. We are a team of 36 people now: Communication, content, service, user experience and user interface designers, and user researchers. The team grew by 75% this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the biggest growth so far. At the beginning of 2024, there was 1 user researcher; now, there are 6. We had no dedicated content design expertise in January. Today, there are 3 content designers. Building a connection is crucial to sharing knowledge, offering expertise and supporting each other. We want to work well and sustainably while delivering things at pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent team health survey showed a high degree of psychological safety. Colleagues feel it\u2019s a safe workplace. And there is a very high satisfaction with work-life policies at DigitalService. At the same time, colleagues think they are too often unable to concentrate on their work without interruption, and responsibilities are not clear enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through a \u2018Three Little Pigs\u2019-themed retrospective on Monday, we discussed these and other things in more detail. In these stormy times, what are the things in the house of straw, wood or brick?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Charlotte facilitated a crafty, fun vision board exercise. In small teams equipped with scissors, glue and printed material, we discussed what matters the most, where we want to go in 2025 and how we want to feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also had another anonymous appreciation read-out. Over a week, I collected feedback for colleagues in our design and user research discipline. People could submit appreciation for other people via a simple form. We did the same in the last two years. Over 90 submissions were sent. I collected the feedback for each team member on a single slide; then I placed them in a random order. Everyone attending on Monday got a folded note containing a name. Once the appreciations for a team member came up, the person with the note containing their note had to read out the appreciations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The anonymous notes I have received are these: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThanks for being a thoughtful leader and caring for accessibility. You are really a rarity. I am looking forward to further working with you. It’s always motivating to be by your side.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nYou are so dedicated, that it is almost crazy, but still thank you so much for all the hard work.
Your enthusiasm and courage is contagious!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEverywhere at once, involved and driving so many initiatives, always an inspiring link for any project\/ thought\/ initiative. Connecting dots everywhere, shaking brilliant presentations from your sleeve\u2026. While ensuring the whole event is videographed at high quality. Staying humble and taking the time to listen. Seriously \u2013 How do you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nI really enjoy working with you as I feel I can be totally honest when it comes to visual design or other work-related stuff. This makes me feel very comfortable at DigitalService. Thank you for listening and supporting!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Over 2.5 years into the role, I remain the only Head of Design\u2014and User Research\u2014in the German public sector. That sometimes makes me feel alone. In the UK, I had a network of other Heads of User-Centred Design from different gov\u2019t departments. In Germany, design maturity in government keeps growing but is not even where the UK was 10 years ago. I\u2019ve been in formal design leadership roles for 8 years. But I\u2019ve never led such a big team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blessed, I have 2 principals\u2014Charlotte and Sonja\u2014by my side. We drive decisions together, supported by fantastic people partners Magdalena and Annemie. I report to CPO Stephanie, who supports our discipline, as I have never experienced senior user-centred design support. And I could not be luckier with my colleagues from the other delivery disciplines. I work with the Head of Engineering, Product, and Transformation almost daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not been the easiest, but it was undoubtedly the most thrilling and exciting year! Everyone did so much. And together as a team, we can face a 2025 full of challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rather little. I\u2019ll have the next couple of weeks off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We might still be able to publish the international blog post. Kara and I finished it earlier this week. We titled it \u201cProgressing international design discourse in Helsinki, Amsterdam and beyond\u201d. It must only go through some departmental press office in the UK before Christmas. How hard can that be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While writing, I realised that my English is much plainer than my German. When blogging in German, sentences are more complex and longer. My English blogging is more straightforward and probably much easier to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does German have to be so complicated?\n\nWhen blogging in English, the readability score matches the complexity of a tabloid newspaper or even a cookbook.\n\nWhen blogging in German, my readability score goes up to the level of a professional journal.\n\nI struggle so much more to simplify in German.<\/p>— Martin Jordan (@martinjordan.com<\/a>) December 18, 2024 at 4:56 PM<\/a><\/blockquote>