Hello, folks!
Welcome to my home on the internet where I've been writing since 2006, sharing my journey as a chief design officer and passionate design leader. Here, you'll find insights on user-centred design, leadership strategies and tips for building exceptional design teams.
Latest Posts
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Experiences and Journeys
Understanding the importance of seamless user experiences and journeys.
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Managing IC's who are a similar level to yourself
Guidelines for managing individual contributors at your level.
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User-centred success measures
A guide to implementing user-centred success measures alongside traditional metrics.
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The one that didn't get away
A story about persistence and success in recruitment.
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Managers and Leaders
Exploring the differences between management and leadership, and the impact of ineffective managers and leaders
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Measuring effectiveness
How to measure and improve team effectiveness in organisations.
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The first days
Navigating the initial challenges of a new leadership position.
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Change and grow
Reflecting on team growth and transitioning to new opportunities.
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The Rebuild
Starting fresh and rebuilding design processes from the ground up.
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Design Debt
How to identify and manage design debt in large organisations.
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Let's start from the beginning
A guide to people-centred management and the importance of understanding your team.
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Describing things
How we can improve the way we describe and communicate about services.
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Professional progression
Understanding the journey from junior to director level roles in design.
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Time
Managing time effectively as a design leader.
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Good product development process
A guide to effective product development process in government digital services.
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Impostor Syndrome
Understanding and dealing with impostor syndrome in the design industry.
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Proactive instead of reactive product development
The benefits of taking a proactive approach to product development.
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So, you want to get into Web Design?
A comprehensive guide to starting a career in web design, from industry insights to career paths.
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How to ask for feedback that might be hard to hear
A guide to requesting and receiving constructive feedback effectively.
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Creating a mentor programme
How to set up an effective mentorship programme in your organisation.
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Geek Mental Help Week Newcastle
Organising and running mental health awareness events in the tech community.
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The day that Ben left
Reflections on leadership transitions and maintaining team momentum.
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2 years ago
Looking back on two years of working in government digital services.
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Service Goals
Reflecting on service goals and outcomes for the Get your State Pension service at DWP.
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What is the hardest part of running a design team?
Key insights on leading design teams effectively through communication and community building.
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Complaining is nothing without action
Why complaints should be accompanied by solutions and actions.
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A letter from the future
A speculative look at how technology might shape our daily lives in the future
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A stand up, retro or planning does not make you agile
Understanding the true meaning of being agile beyond ceremonies.
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Reboot
Starting fresh after a difficult year.
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Management is great leadership
The principles of effective leadership and people management.
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Hello you. Hello you, this is me.
An introduction to my journey and experiences in design leadership
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Invest in Yourself
The importance of personal and professional development.
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Cleansing the soul with honest design
Reflecting on honest design principles and the transition to public sector work.
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It's time for something new
Leaving traveljunction.com and joining GOV.UK services.
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We are not all equal
Addressing inequality and diversity in design teams.
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Middle Ground
Finding the balance between over and under designing.
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Design Team Ethos
Creating and implementing a design team ethos at traveljunction.com.
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My 2014
Reflecting on personal and professional experiences throughout 2014.
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How to move into a more Senior Role
Practical advice for progressing into senior design positions.
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Normalised Design
Why we should challenge normalised design patterns and think differently.
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It's ok to not have all the answers
Why it is acceptable to not have all the answers and how to move forward.
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Designing with the future in mind
The importance of long-term planning in design decisions.
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Understanding The Why
The importance of understanding motivations in design decisions.