Table of Contents
- Empower your team with committees: fuel creativity & ownership
- So, why are committees so important?
- But how do you get started with committees?
- 1. Define the topic or theme
- 2. Breakout to committees
- 3. Define the problem
- 4. Define goals
- 5. Nominate a committee coordinator
- 6. Define needs and expectations
- Committees FTW
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Empower your team with committees: fuel creativity & ownership
Are you ready to tap into the hidden potential within your design team?
Look no further than committees—the catalyst that can revolutionize the way your team operates.
Committees are like mini-communities of passionate individuals who come together to tackle projects, solve problems, and unleash their creativity. And the best part?
They're completely voluntary, giving team members the freedom to explore their interests and take ownership of their initiatives.
So, why are committees so important?
Well, they empower your team by fostering autonomy and trust.
Instead of top-down decision-making, committees put the power in the hands of those closest to the work.
Need better employee onboarding? That's up to the committee.
Want to change design software? That's also up to the committee.
By decentralising decision-making, you create a more engaged and motivated team.
This framework is part of UX Management Playbook—made for first-time managers building healthier and happier design teams.
But how do you get started with committees?
It's simple!
Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Define the topic or theme
Get everyone involved by running a brainstorming workshop. Let ideas flow, vote on the most important topics, and circle the winning committee(s) that will make an impact.
2. Breakout to committees
Give your teams the flexibility to tackle the problem at hand. Trust their expertise and let them run with it.
3. Define the problem
Craft a concise problem statement that captures the issue you want to address. Use existing data, findings, and strong assumptions to shape your statement.
4. Define goals
Kickstart the brainstorming with "How Might We" statements. Vote on the most important opportunities for the next three months and then rank and circle the winning goals. Make sure they align with your chosen "How Might We."
5. Nominate a committee coordinator
No formal leaders here! Instead, someone raises their hand to be the coordinator who brings the committee together and manages the timeline. It's a fantastic opportunity for designers to build leadership skills.
6. Define needs and expectations
Set clear expectations for the committee's time commitment and weekly meetings. Encourage skills development by assigning roles like content generators, photographers, copywriters, and more.
Committees FTW
But remember, there are a few best practices to keep in mind.
Don't just replicate committee examples—customize them to fit your team's unique needs.
Embrace autonomy and trust—allowing your team members to shape their initiatives.
Foster transparency and build a mini-community within each committee.
And most importantly, encourage mistakes and learning—after all, growth comes from experimentation.
By embracing committees, you'll witness the incredible impact they can have on collaboration, trust, and alignment within your team.
So, what are you waiting for? Unleash the potential of committees and watch your design team thrive ✨
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