As many of us advance in our careers, we’re sometimes met with the age-old question: "Have you ever thought about becoming a manager?”

This question can conjure up the idea that this is the next logical step on the ladder — the way we expand our scope and land a front-row seat at the proverbial table. Meanwhile, some of us may have already taken the leap.

After honing our craft as designers, we take the step into leadership. But yet we may find ourselves wondering why the confidence we built up as seniors somehow doesn’t translate now as new managers. It's easy to see moving into management as the next step. But the reality is, leading a design team is a whole different job. And that's a crucial detail many designers miss before taking the leap.

Whether considering a move to management or feeling lost in the role, I'll provide an honest and candid view of design leadership and share my journey. With insights on how to show up and find your voice as a leader, this talk will empower you to navigate the complexities of design leadership with confidence, whichever path you’re on.