A design lead works on a screen alongside two designers at a shared table. AI assisted.

UXAIUser ExperienceDesignLeadership Smaller teams want design leaders who make, again. Here’s how.

AI is shrinking teams we run and raising the bar what each person is expected to produce. That changes what a leader has to bring, starting with their own hands.

Patrick Neeman

12 min read1 day ago

Bill Russell coached the Boston Celtics for three seasons while playing center, and won two championships doing both jobs. Player-coaches were common then because one salary cost less than two, according to Wikipedia’s Player-coach entry.

As the leagues got rich, the role faded.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Bill Russell and Red Auerbach.

Design leadership followed the same arc. A leader’s status was counted in headcount as teams grew huge.…