[WARM GUN 2014] Facebook, Maria Giudice, "Rise of the DEO: Leadership by Design" | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Discover the qualities and tools of a design executive officer (Deo), a creative business leader who embraces change, collaboration, empathy, and innovation.

Key Insights

• 👨‍💼 The lifespan of companies has significantly decreased, and traditional business leaders may struggle to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
• 🕴️ Creative business leaders, known as Deos, possess unique qualities that make them well-suited to tackle complex problems and drive innovation.
• 🤩 Changing mindsets, embracing collaboration and diversity, living in people's shoes, championing creative culture, and fostering iteration and evolution are key tools for Deos.
• 😤 Openness to feedback, embracing failure, and maintaining a focus on excellence help Deos and their teams thrive.
• 🎮 Deos can have a significant impact by solving problems, creating meaningful experiences, and driving positive change in society.
• 🗺️ Travel, clear-mindedness, and a positive attitude contribute to the creativity and effectiveness of a Deo.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is a Deo and how does it differ from traditional business leaders?

A Deo, or design executive officer, is a creative business leader who possesses qualities such as being a change agent, risk-taker, solution-oriented, socially intelligent, and driven by curiosity and excellence. They approach problems as design problems and think outside the box, unlike traditional business leaders who may focus solely on profit and conventional approaches.

Q: How did the speaker decide to sell her design studio to Facebook?

The speaker took a risk by accepting Facebook's offer to acquire her design studio. She trusted her intuition, considered the cultural alignment between the two companies, the potential for growth and impact, and weighed the benefits of working with a larger team and resources. She also recognized the volatility and short life expectancy of companies in the current business landscape.

Q: How can one embrace the role of a Deo and foster a creative culture?

By changing mindsets about design and seeing it as an investment rather than an expense, by embracing collaboration and valuing diverse perspectives and ideas, by living in people's shoes and understanding their real-life experiences, by championing a positive and fun work environment, and by creating a culture of iteration, evolution, and constant improvement.

Q: How can feedback and failure contribute to the growth of a Deo and their team?

A Deo should stay humble and continuously seek feedback from their team and stakeholders to learn, improve, and make course corrections. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity and being open to change helps foster innovation and encourages team members to take smart risks and be creative.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares her personal experience of selling her successful design studio to Facebook and joining as a director of product design, highlighting the decision-making process and risks involved.

• Deos, or design executive officers, are creative business leaders who possess unique qualities such as being change agents, risk-takers, solution-oriented, socially intelligent, curious, and driven by excellence.

• The speaker provides tips and tools for embracing the role of a Deo, including changing mindsets about design, embracing collaboration and diversity, living in people's shoes, championing a creative culture, and fostering a culture of iteration and evolution.