What hundreds of designer interviews reveal about growth with Jayneil Dalal

Dec 19, 2025

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We love talking about growth mindset, but curiosity without action doesn’t move your career forward. In this episode, Jayneil Dalal shares what he’s learned from interviewing hundreds of designers—and why the people who actually ship, share, and care about craft are the ones who keep growing.

What if the fastest way to grow your career isn’t asking for a promotion—but becoming the designer everyone trusts?

In this episode, I sit down with Jayneil Dalal to talk less about career ladders and more about what actually earns trust inside organizations. After interviewing hundreds of designers on Design MBA and Sneak Peek, Jayneil has seen the same patterns repeat across teams, companies, and seniority levels.

The designers who advance aren’t the loudest or the most credentialed. They’re the ones who care deeply about their work—clean files, thoughtful handoffs, clear communication, and sharing what they learn with others. No one tells them to do this. They do it because they give a damn, and that care compounds into credibility.

We also unpack the idea of “internal brand,” why chasing credit often backfires, and how being generous with your knowledge can quietly change team culture. If you’ve ever felt invisible at work or unsure how to stand out without self-promotion, this conversation reframes what influence really looks like.

Topics:

• 04:54 - Early Curiosity and Interviewing Journey

• 06:17 - The Birth of a Podcast Idea

• 07:23 - Launching Design MBA

• 09:53 - The Value of Execution

• 12:21 - Challenges and Realizations

• 15:36 - Content Creation and Audience Fit

• 19:35 - Learning from Top Designers

• 22:49 - The Importance of Craft and Mentorship

• 38:04 - Advocating for Yourself

• 41:58 - Navigating Internal Branding

• 46:34 - The Importance of Communication Skills

• 48:10 - Balancing Multiple Projects

• 51:36 - Effective Use of AI in Design

• 53:21 - Public Speaking and Presentation Tips

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