Catt Small

Catt Small, a seasoned designer with over 14 years at Etsy, Asana, and SoundCloud, shares invaluable insights on leadership and influence for staff designers. She discusses how to escape the execution trap and emphasizes the importance of executive presence. Catt also provides practical time management tips and encourages designers to promote broader thinking. With fascinating stories about her experiences, especially with the ‘Goals’ project at Asana, listeners gain a fresh perspective on navigating complexity in design and fostering collaboration.

Catt Small, a staff designer with a rich background at Asana, Etsy, and SoundCloud, shares her insights on building influence as an individual contributor. She discusses the importance of storytelling and communication in conveying ideas effectively. Listeners will discover strategies to foster strong relationships and engage stakeholders early in the design process. Catt highlights how to create impactful product visions and navigate the complexities of design momentum, making her insights invaluable for aspiring designers.

Catt Small, a product and design leader with a rich background at Etsy, Asana, and Dropbox, joins to explore the emerging role of the staff designer. This conversation dives into how staff designers navigate complexity and influence without traditional management roles. Catt highlights the strategic breadth of staff designers, their importance in today's flattened organizations, and how they mentor others while guiding quality. She also emphasizes the need for a leadership mindset shift in design, recommending insightful reads to foster curiosity and collaboration.