This end-of-season episode demonstrates how effective design leaders navigate their first 90 days in a new role by prioritizing deep understanding and strategic relationship-building before implementing changes, creating a foundation for lasting organizational transformation. Paul reveals a three-phase framework—Listening, Vision Crafting, and Strategic Action—that guided multiple successful leadership transitions and offers practical principles for new design leaders to make meaningful impact while building trust across the organization.

Key takeaways include:

• Invest in understanding before acting to build trust and uncover organizational realities


• Build relationships across disciplines to create effective cross-functional collaboration


• Translate design value into business metrics that resonate with executives


• Choose focused initiatives over comprehensive changes to demonstrate impact


• Balance deep knowledge gathering with visible progress to maintain momentum