5 principles of successful design leaders
As I’ve delved into the world of interior design and space design, I’ve found that the firm behind the office designs of some of the most innovative and fast-moving companies in the world and one of the biggest architectural firms in the world, is under the realm of this man: Arthur Gensler.
First off, Mr. Gensler is pretty amazing.
He is a Fellow of both the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association, and a professional member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
He graduated from Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning and is a member of its Advisory Council. Art is also a charter member of Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame and a recipient of IIDA’s Star Award, and received Ernst & Young LLP’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Tl;dr: he’s pretty amazing and clearly an expert in his field.
I recently read his book on the principles that details his leadership style for guiding his successful client-focused, design-centric and international firm.
It has many valuable hard-learned lessons on principles that drive sustainable success. And it led me to reflect more about the meaning of building successful businesses and gave a pragmatic, jargon-free foundation on the fundamentals of design.
Here’s a few of my takeaways:
1. Add Value, Share Value
Adding value is the key to success. Understanding what your business brings to the table or how you as an individual contribute to a team can make/break the future of your career. Remember that you are part of a team, and that your set of strengths and weaknesses balance out those of your team members.
If you operate under a “family” model, each member of the family is there to support each other. We all have roles to play, whether we are mentoring, learning, guiding, critiquing and so forth. Mistakes are ok, blaming is not.
You celebrate in the good times, and you cooperate to figure your way forward during the tough ones…you must determine whether you want an army of mercenaries or want to build a firm that acts like a family.
— Art Gensler
2. Build Trust Fast
I recently read this book which also spoke to the important of trust in an organization, internally and with clients. Art spoke of the benefits of trust in a healthy company, and how the outcomes: authentic collaboration and client retention through difficult times, can transform your business. Both benefits are incredibly important.
Like trust, ethics is dependent on your every action…and it must be built into everything you do.
— Art Gensler
3. Opportunities = People
Every new opportunity lies in another person. Opportunities don’t exist as stand alone, disconnected islands but as threads in a mesh of other people. Value people. Invest in people. Simple but true.
4. Function over Form
On design, functional problems must be addressed first. Beautiful forms add negligible value to a poorly functioning product.
5. Use design thinking for big impact
Art summarized it as thus: ethical practice, thoughtful impact, experiential design and excellence in delivery.
And put into practice, this looks like designing from the clients perspective, maintaining positive and trustworthy communication, generating new opportunities for your clients, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Stick to higher standards. Don’t compromise.
You are in the business of solving your clients’ problems. If you are good at your job, you will actually generate new opportunities for them. The key is always concentrate on understanding your clients’ needs.
— Arthur Gensler
I learned a lot from reading this and will re-read again to make it stick. What books have made an impact on you lately?
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Thanks for reading! Feel free to check out my design work or beginner’s hand book on UX. Or buy me a coffee to give my brain a hug 🍵
