Katral-Nada Hassan: Building strong relationships with the C-suite... It's non-negotiable.

In this conversation, Nada shares her extensive journey in design, spanning over 15 years, highlighting her transition from consulting to in-house roles. She discusses the evolving landscape of design, the importance of building partnerships within organizations, and the need for designers to take on more strategic roles. Nada emphasizes the significance of community building in the design space, particularly in the Middle East, and the essential skills for leadership, including empathy and a growth mindset. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by product managers and the continuous cycle of maintaining high-performing teams.

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katral/

https://design.alraedahdigital.sa/

Takeaways

• Nada's career began as an information architect, showcasing the evolution of design roles.
• The importance of outcomes in defining a designer's role.
• Problem-solving is a key skill for designers.
• The shift towards in-house product teams is changing the consulting landscape.
• Building partnerships within organizations is crucial for design success.
• Designers must maintain their 'design soul' even in squad models.
• Community building is essential for the growth of the design field.
• Empathy and growth mindset are vital for effective leadership.
• High-performing teams require continuous effort to maintain.
• Not all designers need to transition into leadership roles; growth can occur in various forms.

Chapters

00:00 Journey into Design: A 15-Year Odyssey

05:01 Consulting vs. In-House: The Designer's Dilemma

09:58 Building Partnerships: The Key to Successful Design Teams

15:02 Squad Models: Balancing Integration and Design Soul

19:49 Design Thinking Workshops: Bridging Gaps Across Departments

24:56 Community Building: Elevating Design in the Region

30:12 The Future of Design: Strategy and Leadership

34:57 Navigating Relationships: The Role of Design Leaders

39:48 Empathy and Growth: Essential Skills for Leadership

44:47 The Continuous Cycle of High-Performing Teams

50:09 The Role of PMs: Redefining Responsibilities in Design

55:05 Personal Projects and Future Aspirations