42: Leading From Trust (ft. Cynthia Savard Saucier)
Feb 23, 2024
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In this podcast, they discuss leading from trust, building trust in leadership roles, the evolution of UX organization structure at Shopify, emotional intelligence in leadership, and balancing pragmatism and creativity in design leadership.
Evolution from designer to VP at Shopify, emphasizing diverse leadership roles within the company.
Structural shift in Shopify's UX department towards a federated model for alignment and shared leadership.
Emphasis on building trust in leadership through interpersonal, disposable, and institutional trust for cohesive team dynamics.
Deep dives
Cynthia Savard-Sosiek's Journey to VP of UX at Shopify
Cynthia Savard-Sosiek recounts her path from starting as a senior designer at a smaller firm to becoming the VP of UX for Core at Shopify, emphasizing her evolution through various leadership roles within the company.
Structural Changes in Shopify's UX Organization
The podcast delves into the organizational structural shifts at Shopify's UX department, evolving from a centralized to a federated model, where UX now reports into Core and Merchant Services, focusing on maintaining alignment and shared leadership.
The Role of Trust in Leadership
The importance of building trust in leadership is highlighted through the concept of interpersonal, disposable, and institutional trust, underscoring the significance of trust in fostering cohesive and effective team dynamics.
Balancing Pragmatism and Idealism in Design Leadership
Cynthia Savard-Sosiek discusses her pragmatic approach to design leadership, emphasizing the alignment of creative pursuits with business goals and the importance of balancing idealism with practicality to drive impactful change.
Driving Change and Advocating for Design Values
The podcast explores Cynthia's commitment to advocating for high-quality design, aligning creative endeavors with improving user experiences and product impact, while fostering a creative environment that upholds design ethics and values.
Anticipating Future Projects and Stability
Cynthia expresses excitement for upcoming projects at Shopify and envisions a shift towards a more stable and trustworthy technological environment, highlighting the importance of creative courage and a secure foundation for enabling innovative and impactful work.
Peter and Jesse are joined by Cynthia Savard Saucier, co-author of the book Tragic Design and VP of UX for the Canadian e-commerce giant Shopify. We talk about what's worth fighting for and what's not, sharpening the business acumen of her teams, and the strategic value of kindness.
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