[IxDA Discuss] Career paths & organizational structures for IxDs

[Simon Asselbergs]

> One of the challenges with designers--as with other similar roles--is that
> what makes people good designers doesn't necessarily make them good
> managers.

I have often seen organisations where they don't distinguish leadership and management. Ghandi was a good leader, but that doesn't make him a good manager. Leadership means inspiring and motivating people to set them in motion to some direction. I think that requires highly empathic, analytical, or even philosophical skills and knowing how to address to a diversity of people. A visionairy that can address a crowd.

Management is a administrative job. It requires analytical and people skills related to breakup abstract business ideas into a prioritised workplan and know how to delegate them between people so that they are most productive, and monitor progress. It requires a sense of timing.

Often I have seen people who work a long time eventually get management tasks. But I seldom see people being good leaders and/or managers. To get people perform beyond average they have to be motivated quite a bit. To get the most out of people they have to be inspired deeply. I guess people who often asks themselves the question "how am I able to manage and lead myself?" will eventually develop some skills that are required for leading and managing others. The ability to see opportunities and become inspired and creative, also the ability to work efficiently and autonomously. I guess the other challenge not to feel lonely while being the one with a lot of responsibility.

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