Nodes of Design#117: Power and Politics at Work by Stan Rapp

Aug 31, 2024

Stan Rapp, a Ukrainian product designer with 15 years of experience and current leader at Asana, shares invaluable insights into workplace dynamics. He discusses effective conflict resolution and the nuances of navigating office politics while maintaining integrity. Real-life stories illustrate power dynamics in action, revealing how organizational structures impact teams. Stan also explores future trends influenced by hybrid work and AI, providing essential tips on personal branding and the importance of continuous learning for professional growth.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

From Ukraine to Design: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance

01:40 • 5min

Design Hiring & Power Dynamics

06:51 • 7min

Embracing Conflict: A Path to Healthy Workplace Culture

13:42 • 4min

Navigating Personal Branding and Workplace Dynamics

17:16 • 27min

Empowering Growth through Learning and Culture

43:51 • 12min

Stan Rapp is a Ukrainian product designer who currently resides in the US. With 15 years of experience in design, including a decade in design leadership roles, Stan is currently leading a mission-critical design team at Asana. Before Asana, Stan scaled design teams at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Ford. Stan has won multiple design awards, including SF Design Week, TechCrunch Disrupt, Red Dot, and Innovation by Design from FastCompany. In this eye-opening episode of Nodes of Design, we dive deep into the world of workplace dynamics with Stan Rapp, a Ukrainian product designer leading mission-critical teams at Asana. With 15 years of experience and a track record of scaling design teams at major organizations, Stan offers invaluable insights on navigating power and politics at work.

Discover:

Strategies for effective conflict resolution
Tips for navigating office politics while maintaining integrity
Real-life stories of power dynamics in action
The impact of company structure on team dynamics
Future trends in workplace power structures with the rise of hybrid work and AI

Whether you're a design professional, team leader, or anyone looking to advance their career, Stan's practical advice and personal experiences will equip you with the tools to thrive in today's complex work environments. Don't miss this candid discussion on the often unspoken realities of professional life.

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