Stepping into a leadership role for the first time is both exciting and terrifying. At Sami Healthcare, I had my first taste of leading a team of designers, and it was a pivotal moment in my career. It wasn’t just about managing people; it was about navigating complexities, aligning goals, and discovering what leadership truly means in practice. This is the story of that journey and the lessons I took away.

The beginning of a journey

When Sami Healthcare started investing in me as a leader, I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready. Up until that point, I had been focused on honing my skills as a product designer. But the company saw potential in me, and I was given the opportunity to lead two talented designers. At the same time, I was still working hands-on as a designer in a fast-paced environment.

Sami was tackling a significant challenge: medical claims management. It was one of the company’s biggest pain points, and our team’s task was to design better solutions for it. This added an extra layer of pressure to my new role. But, as I soon learned, the technical challenges of the work paled in comparison to the human challenges of leadership.

Lesson 1: The cost of misalignment

One of the first hurdles I faced was understanding the impact of misalignment between design and product teams. My two direct reports frequently shared frustrations about their inability to communicate effectively with their product managers. These disconnects led to confusion about priorities, inefficiencies in the workflow, and ultimately, delays in delivering solutions.

At first, I didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the situation. I thought simply giving clear directions to my team would solve the problem. But as their leader, I had to dig deeper. I realized that leadership isn’t just about managing down; it’s also about managing across.

So, I did something simple but effective: I scheduled informal coffee chats with the product managers. Over these conversations, we discussed their expectations, frustrations, and ideas for improving collaboration. These small gestures of connection worked wonders. The teams began to align more naturally, and the workflows improved dramatically.

Takeaway: Leadership often means being the bridge between teams. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as a conversation over coffee.

Lesson 2: Balancing leadership and execution

At Sami, I was leading a team while still actively working as a product designer. Balancing these roles was one of the toughest aspects of my job. On one hand, I needed to mentor and support my team; on the other, I had my own deliverables and deadlines to meet.

I quickly learned that time management and prioritization were essential. I set aside specific blocks of time each week to focus on my leadership responsibilities: team check-ins, feedback sessions, and strategic planning. The rest of my time was dedicated to hands-on design work. This separation allowed me to give my full attention to each role without feeling overwhelmed.

Perhaps the most important part of this balance was being transparent with my team. I let them know when I was wearing my “leader hat” versus my “designer hat.” This clarity helped set expectations and fostered a sense of mutual respect.

Takeaway: Balancing leadership and execution requires clear boundaries and transparent communication. Your team will respect you more if they understand your dual responsibilities.

Lesson 3: Leadership is about relationships, not authority

One of the most eye-opening aspects of leading at Sami was realizing that leadership isn’t about giving orders or having all the answers. It’s about building relationships and fostering trust. My designers needed to feel that I was on their side, advocating for their success and growth.

This meant actively listening to their concerns, involving them in decision-making, and giving them the autonomy to solve problems in their own way. It also meant being honest when I didn’t have all the answers and working together to find solutions.

At the same time, I had to learn that being supportive didn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations. There were moments when I had to set firm boundaries or push back on ideas that weren’t aligned with the company’s goals. These moments weren’t easy, but they were necessary.

Takeaway: Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Build it by listening, being honest, and balancing support with accountability.

Reflections on growth

My time at Sami taught me that leadership is as much about personal growth as it is about guiding others. I made mistakes, learned from them, and grew alongside my team. By the end of my time there, I felt not only more confident as a leader but also more connected to the people I worked with.

Leading at Sami was a challenging yet rewarding experience that laid the groundwork for the next steps in my career. It showed me the power of collaboration, communication, and empathy—qualities I carry with me to this day.

A Note of gratitude

To the designers I had the privilege of leading at Sami and to everyone who supported me in this journey: thank you. Your trust, collaboration, and feedback shaped me into the leader I am today. Without you, this chapter of my career would not have been as impactful or transformative. ❤️