Peer-oriented leaders

Peer-oriented leaders, or "design buddies," step into leadership roles with extensive resumes but little actual leadership experience. They resonate with the day-to-day experiences of staff designers, often acting more like colleagues than bosses.

Their main strengths lie in:

• Advocating for their teams
• Putting people first
• Granting a high level of freedom to individual designers

This approach creates a safe environment for sharing ideas, enhancing collaboration, and boosting motivation through positive team dynamics.

However, their focus on being a friend can lead to challenges:

• Overlooking broader organizational needs
• Struggling to address poor performance or resolve conflicts
• Missing opportunities for constructive criticism, crucial for growth
• Their friendly approach might sometimes be seen as a lack of authority
• Potential for disrespect and weakened team spirit

Peer-oriented leaders navigate a fine line between fostering a collaborative atmosphere and maintaining the discipline and direction necessary for effective leadership.