Cadences and Culture
Cadences
The list below is a high level overview of the cadences I have in place with my current team. I am very intentional about creating a blend of planning, design team time and time with cross functional partner groups. In addition, I take steps to ensure myself and my teams are getting visibility to both design leaders and cross functional leaders on a regular basis.
Daily
- Huddles with cross functional partner groups
Weekly
- Design team huddle
- Design Reviews
- Product Review
- Legal & Compliance office hours
Biweekly
- Sprint Planning
- Design Collaboration
- 1 on 1’s
Monthly
- Skip level 1 on 1’s
- Design Reviews with Head of Design
- Fun event for the design team
Quarterly
- PI Planning
- Fun event with cross functional team
- Give back volunteer event
Annually
- Strategic planning
- Resource planning
Ad Hoc
- Escalations
- Removing blockers
- Mentorship
- Coaching
- Skill building
Illustrations designed by stories / Freepik
Culture
Creating space for vulnerability and space for fun is very important when it comes to culture.
When it comes to fun time, I take steps to ensure that the activities fit the team. Not every team wants to do happy hours. I have had teams that prefer doing a team breakfast, weekly mediation time or, like in the picture below, doing an inspirational field trip to Meow Wolf.
When it comes to creating a safe space, I find that being a vulnerable and authentic leader helps start the conversation. I work with my teams to establish team principles, have consistent 1 on 1’s with all members of the teams to build trust and provide feedback and coaching as real time as possible. I am very intentional about ensuring the designers on my teams are heard, acknowledged and validated.