Recap: How Design Leaders Build Trust, Strategic Influence, and Resilience in an AI Shaped Workplace

Trust as the central force in design leadership

Both speakers opened with a shared view. Trust is the core resource leaders trade with. It is what grants influence, early involvement, and a voice in strategic conversations. Martyn described the moment every new leader faces when the work shifts from designing for users to shaping relationships across an organization. Nicola reinforced that trust grows through presence, clarity, and attention to the pressures that shape other teams.

This is exactly the work many senior designers struggle with, which is why trust building frameworks are becoming a core pillar in modern leadership programs.

The mindsets that help leaders become credible partners

Martyn shared two mindsets he uses daily. Assume positive intent and stay emotionally grounded. These principles set the tone for healthier cross functional relationships. Nicola added that openness and curiosity create faster alignment with peers who may see design as a point of friction.

These mindsets are often missing from traditional design training, yet they are central to how leaders increase their strategic impact.

Nicola explained that design earns a strategic seat through shared processes, visible thinking, and consistent collaboration. Martyn compared this evolution to building credit. Every clear handoff, every supported partner, every reliable outcome strengthens the perception that design can steer direction instead of reacting to it.

Leaders who want to grow into strategic partners benefit most from training that focuses on influence, communication, and decision making.

Professional presence and the art of strategic work

Martyn outlined one of the most overlooked skills. Professional presence. Leaders shape trust not only through output but through how they communicate under pressure. Clear and thoughtful communication builds momentum. Oversharing or venting erodes credibility. Strategic project selection also matters. Small but visible wins can shift how a team or department perceives the value of design.

Trust recovery and the impact of AI

The group explored how trust can fracture when teams work at different speeds. Martyn shared a story of guiding a team through trust recovery by helping designers understand commercial pressures and adjust their methods. Nicola added that direct conversations with senior stakeholders are often required to rebuild confidence.

Both speakers acknowledged the growing influence of AI on expectations. AI is automating production tasks and reshaping partner relationships. This change increases the need for leaders who can bring clarity and strategic direction.

What comes next at Leadership Ateliers

Martyn will bring his thinking on the transition from designer to leader to Leadership Ateliers Berlin on May 21 and 22. Nicola will guide participants on building partnerships and expanding trust and influence at Leadership Ateliers Barcelona on April 13 and 14.

If you want training that goes beyond theory and focuses on strategy, trust, and the realities of leading in an AI shaped workplace, these two editions will be especially valuable.