Leading Teams in Product
In this episode, Nathan Auer, Head of Design, Developer Division at Microsoft, talks about how he got into the design world and his methodology for leading a collaborative and compassionate team. Nathan also serves as a liaison between Microsoft and the University of Washington, having mentored hundreds of students.
Nathan Auer, with over 25 years of experience in design leadership, shares his journey and insights on design, passion, and team culture on the Wonderful Design Podcast. His diverse roles, from Vice President of User Experience at Promethean to leading design initiatives for Microsoft's education products, underline his significant contributions to the field. Nathan's philosophy revolves around design as a collaborative verb, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, kindness, and capability in creating impactful work.
Takeaways
📚 Educational Recommendation: Nathan suggests "The Boys in the Boat," "Dark Horse," and "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids" for insights into teamwork, career exploration, and relationship building.
💡 Design Philosophy: Emphasizes that design is a verb, highlighting the collaborative nature of creating user-centric solutions across various disciplines.
🌱 Career Growth: Shares his belief in following passion over a predetermined career path, noting that genuine interest often leads to greater success.
🤝 Team Culture: Advocates for building teams based on psychological safety, strengths and gaps awareness, and the three Cs: capability, curiosity, and kindness.
🎭 Theater and Product Design: Draws parallels between his theater background and product design, illustrating how both fields require a deep understanding of audience engagement and narrative crafting.
Summary
- Nathan's journey from a theater background to leading design at Microsoft showcases the nonlinear path of career development driven by passion.
- He emphasizes the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, advocating for a culture where team members support and uplift each other.
- Nathan discusses the significance of psychological safety and clear communication in fostering innovative and collaborative team environments.
- His design philosophy underscores the collaborative nature of design, involving cross-disciplinary efforts to achieve user-centric outcomes.
- Nathan highlights how his theater experience informs his approach to product design and team management, advocating for authenticity and empathy.
- The discussion on finding passion within one's current role or outside of work underlines the importance of balance and personal fulfillment.
- Nathan's mentorship and leadership style reflect a commitment to nurturing talent and promoting a culture of kindness and respect within teams.
- He challenges the notion of design having a "seat at the table," advocating instead for a more integrated and participatory approach to product development.
