DERGEL Executive Search

Building Leadership Teams Together

Business Leaders Champion Design Thinking

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You may not have known it, but you probably think, in ways, like a UI/UX professional. Leaders often unintentionally employ design thinking, while UI/UX engineers are trained to do so.

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Structural Design Hints to Function

A strong design guides the user to the function by its very structure. Instructions are not required for sitting in a never seen before chair, without a back rest, and with unique arm rests. A door handle shouldn’t need an instruction manual either. When a design is well done, intuition will successfully guide the user to proper usage.

This does not need to remain a goal exclusively to UI and UX. We’re constantly tasked to design the world around us, whether or not we’re aware of it. For example, when we title a document, we offer a hint of its core function. “Checklist of Tasks for Operation” sends a very different message than “Operational Excellence Task Checklist.” One may weigh down the user, while the other may suggest a feeling of importance in the process.

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design have become integral to how we interact with technology. UI refers to the visual elements and design components of a digital product, like a website or mobile app, that users see and interact with. UX, on the other hand, focuses on the overall experience and how users feel while using the product. Together, they create a user journey.

UI design deals with the look and feel of a product, encompassing things like color schemes, typography, buttons, and layout. It’s about making the interface aesthetically pleasing and intuitive.

UX design, on the other hand, is about creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for users. It involves understanding user behaviors and needs, as well as designing the product to be easy to navigate, efficient, and user-friendly.

The user-centric focus of UI/UX professionals bears resemblance to what effective leaders do in their internal and external organizational operations. Just as UX designers aim to understand and cater to users’ needs and preferences, leaders must adopt a similar approach, understanding the desires and requirements of their team members and customers. It’s about creating an environment and experience that aligns with their needs to drive success and satisfaction, whether it’s in product design or organizational leadership.

Let’s explore some practical approaches utilizing a design mindset.

Iterative Approach

Iteration doesn’t mean building upon failure, it means refinement. The process of refining systems and operations is something to be applauded and celebrated. When this approach is implemented the operation as a whole is encouraged to improve upon itself raising morale and a positive atmosphere. This is one of the many secrets of the UI/UX engineering approach that can be adapted.

Design Thinking for Problem Solving

Design thinking, a fundamental concept in UX design, can be employed by business leaders to solve complex organizational challenges. Begin by empathizing with the problems faced by both customers and employees. Ideate potential solutions and prototype them for experimentation. Encourage your team to think creatively and collaboratively to arrive at innovative solutions. Design thinking principles can foster a culture of innovation and adaptability within your organization.

Journey Mapping for Employee Experience

UI/UX professionals often create user journey maps to understand the entire user experience. Business leaders can apply a similar concept by creating “Employee Journey Maps.” These maps detail an employee’s experience from recruitment and onboarding to daily work processes and career growth. By identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement in the employee journey, leaders can enhance retention rates, boost employee satisfaction, and create a more productive workforce.

Human-Centered Organizational Design

UI/UX professionals put users at the center of design. Business leaders can take a similar approach by placing their employees at the heart of organizational design. Structure your company to empower employees, give them autonomy, and encourage innovation. Employee-driven initiatives and self-organizing teams can lead to greater engagement, job satisfaction, and, consequently, improved customer experiences.

Ethnographic Research for Market Understanding

UI/UX professionals conduct ethnographic research to deeply understand user behaviors and contexts. Business leaders can utilize similar research methods to gain profound insights into their market and customer base. By immersing themselves in the lives and experiences of customers, leaders can develop a more profound understanding of customer needs and pain points, enabling the creation of innovative and customer-centric products and services.

User Onboarding for Employee Orientation

UI/UX professionals prioritize seamless onboarding experiences for users. Business leaders can emulate this by creating a well-structured onboarding process for new employees. Provide them with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to acclimate swiftly to the organization. A smooth employee onboarding process not only increases productivity but also sets the tone for a positive, long-term working relationship.

Cognitive Load Management

UI/UX designers aim to reduce cognitive load on users by simplifying interfaces. Business leaders can reduce cognitive load for employees by streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary complexities. This not only eases the mental burden on the staff but also enhances overall efficiency and morale.

The seemingly disparate worlds of business leadership and UI/UX engineering reveal a surprising opportunity for upgraded strategic thinking. The alignment in their user-centric approach, problem-solving skills, and effective communication illustrate how diverse perspectives can enrich our understanding of leadership.

Often underestimated in the grand scheme of leadership, the User Interface and User Experience engineers, have something valuable to offer. The remarkable array of commonalities can reshape our perspectives on leadership itself. As we continue to add to our toolbox, this approach and perspective will help deliver value to our teams, customers, and the bottom line.

Do you have comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions? Share with us at: [email protected]

Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

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Despite the rise in political tension happening throughout the globe, we are still living in an exciting time for globalization that is largely expanding from the business world.

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As the digital-first workforce expands its reach into all areas of industry the need for international representatives is growing as well. By breaking down cultural barriers, we are more easily able to focus on the future of hi-tech and less on the cultural/political divisions that have been re-emerging in recent years. We continue to see a more rapid rate of exponential growth in technology.

As the mercantile trade has evolved into the modern business world, it has also promoted one main vision: Globalization of services. This allows business leaders to bring on employees from all genders, races, and cultures. Thought, the biggest hindrance to the expansion of the merchant world has consistently been the warring factors that come with cultural, religious, and political differences. Selective alliances have created friction for the connecting of top minds – an ideology that we have seen breaking down over time and quickly transitioning into the future.

There is nothing more beautiful than stepping into an event to see people comfortable discussing their business goals without the fear of being judged by the “accessories” that allows them to proudly represent their religion/culture without fear of judgment. Only by educating each other through calm, open discourse can we truly begin to understand each other. That means expanding our education of Eastern and Western cultures and finding fusion that entices people from all backgrounds.

One way to start changing the business world is to have a Chief Diversity Officer on your team. Someone who is unbiased and is curious to understand all of your employees. Not just how they operate in a business sense, but also how their culture/religion/upbringing shapes them. Only by truly understanding all sides, can we begin truly work towards building our teams with the strongest/firmest foundations to take us into the future.

Have you found the right Chief Diversity Officer for your team?

Do you have comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions? Share with us at: [email protected]

Navigating Fears and Concerns for Long-Term Success

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Often perceived as stumbling blocks on the path to success, setbacks can be transformed into the very fuel that propels leaders and their organizations forward.

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Fear is fuel for growth.

Whether you are feeling fear of technological disruption, market competition, financial instability, current leadership, reputational damage, talent shortages, regulatory changes, or something else, handling the concern in an upgraded manner could help bear fruit in previously unplanned ways. Embrace fear as an engine for innovation, driving the organization to explore uncharted waters with confidence. When you exude confidence to your team about the potentials ahead, they will reflect this notion and become excited about the opportunities ahead.

Let us explore principles that will empower us to work with our fears and concerns, to transform the present into a better situation than before the concern arrived.

Acknowledge Fear’s Alarming Advantages

Fear often arises when we venture into an unknown territory, signaling an opportunity for growth.

Understandably, an initial step is healthy acknowledgement. Further than this, effectively recognizing the potential benefits may release pressure from our perspective on it. Effective recognition includes building systems to allow for teams to proactively act upon arising concerns, as will be discussed further on in the article. 

Fostering Fear’s Transformative Power

It’s critical to create a culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their worries without fear of retribution. Encourage open and honest dialogue, turning fear into a catalyst for positive transformation. By providing a space for team members to voice their concerns, decision makers can gain valuable insights into current and potential pitfalls.

Each organization will have different needs to make this space a reality, explore and discuss with your peers and leadership teams as to what kinds of implementations will make this become a reality. Some may find that an anonymous suggestion box, read regularly and followed up upon, to be the right direction; other teams may find that a monthly gathering specifically intended to discuss concerns within the company may be the best option.

The Power of Perspective

Leaders must develop upon their knack for zooming out and examining the big picture when occurrences threaten to pull the ship under. Challenges, when viewed through the lens of the macro-level, often reveal new opportunities. Understand that difficulties are not permanent roadblocks but temporary detours on the path to success. Leaders who remain steadfast in their commitment to the long-term vision can steer through the storm.

Accounts seated in investments are often instructed not to pull holdings when a potential fear arises; we can use this as a framework to keep ourselves centered, that the future will have ups and downs. Staying centered now will give us the best footing for success later on.

Harness Collective Wisdom

Leverage the collective intelligence within your organization. Encouraging collaboration will allow for diverse perspectives to shine through. By engaging the collective wisdom of your team, leaders can tap into fresh ideas and innovative solutions that may not have been apparent when facing obstacles in isolation.

Communicate a Clear Vision

One of the most potent tools for combating fears and concerns is a clear and inspiring vision. Effective leaders articulate a compelling long-term objective that rallies the team, even in rough waters. This vision serves to guide the ship through uncertainty.

Adapt and Innovate

Leaders who are open to pivoting, adjusting strategies, and embracing innovation in response to challenges can navigate the ship through turbulent seas. Change and adaptation should be seen, not as signs of weakness, but as proof of resilience and leadership. Fears and concerns can be powerful forces of adaptability.

Resilience, as a North Star

In moments of adversity, leaders must demonstrate that resilience is their guiding North Star. By cultivating resilience within themselves and their teams, leaders can ensure that the ship endures the storms and emerges stronger on the other side. Developing and understanding how an individual and a team will demonstrate this will be key for moving forward effectively.

A ship doesn’t need to travel the optimal path for every moment of the journey in order to be successful. More realistically, it is expected to travel the general direction towards the goal while being corrected along the way. We can step back from the specific situation at hand and consider how it will guide us through the waters we are navigating. We can allow ourselves to settle more successfully into our wider ranging perspective, where we’re no longer derailed by the current circumstances.

Leaders who can harness potential and remain focused on the long-term vision are best equipped to traverse unexpected circumstances. They understand that fear, when approached with the right perspective, becomes a powerful ally rather than an adversary. In practicing and developing our connection with this, we ensure that the ship remains on course, riding the waves of adversity, rather than feeling pushed away by them.

Do you have comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions? Share with us at: [email protected]

Maneuvering the Entertainment Industry: Patrick Moran, Founder of PKM Productions and Executive with Amazon

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We recently spoke with Patrick Moran regarding his executive journey through the Entertainment Industry.

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Patrick Moran has 25+ years in the entertainment industry. His experience has evolved from an assistant, to producer, to an executive for organizations such as Fox and ABC Studios. Today he is the Founder of PKM Productions with an overall deal between himself and Amazon (meaning: all productions must be completed under Amazon).

How did you first get into the industry, and what was your inspiration?

I’ve always been a consumer of film and television. Television in particular. I graduated from school, and I moved to LA and became someone’s assistant. Which is the pretty typical way to breaking in – assisting someone who is already in the role you want to have. Kind of unremarkable way of breaking in. Moved out here and became someone’s assistant. That’s it!

And then you went into producing or explored other avenues along the way?

I stayed with that first company I was at, NewLine, for about 5 years. Then the woman I was working for left, so I felt like that was a good time for me too. I took a number of jobs throughout the industry, some on the producing side, the majority on the executive side. With my new company, at Amazon, this is really my first producing gig that is my own. So probably about 20 years on the Executive side though.

What have you found to be the biggest challenge from the Executive side?

It’s an industry that has evolved and changed a lot over the last 20 years, and just keeping up with that evolution. How we’ve gone from an industry with a more traditional Broadcast model and now, no surprise, we’re more of a streaming business. I think all of those shifts and changes are a lot to keep up with.

Have you found that technological disruptions, like AI, have affected the shifting?

I think we’re still waiting to see how AI will affect the business. There’s a lot of conversations on what the next 3-5 years are going to look like. I think there’s some concern, sort of, what kind of jobs AI will take-over or replace. I haven’t seen anything impacted in a very meaningful way. Though I do sort of think that technology, with streaming in particular and more technology companies entering the industry, that’s where we’ve seen the biggest impacts.

Have you seen any impact or shifts for networking in the industry?

I do think there was. It ages me a bit, but for those of us working in the broadcast model (let’s say about 10 years ago), there was a real rhythm to the year. New shows typically launched in September. So, it had created this structure for the year. That’s no longer the case. Shows launch all the time. The streaming services are not on the traditional calendar. There’s been a lack of regulatory in terms of structure. I think that has impacted how we network, how we engage, and what those conversations look like. So, I think moving into the streaming model has definitely impacted the networking experience.

We have been hearing from other Executives that social media is a large part of their networking experience, have you found that to be the case as well?

I might just be older; I have definitely engaged with social media. Though I wouldn’t say that’s how I network. The only platform I’m not on is LinkedIn. I use the platforms more for information rather than networking.

When look for new shows and content, how do you go about that process?

When we’re looking at material and new projects, for me, there are some basic criteria. #1 you want to make sure its not being done elsewhere. Something that feels like a fresh way into something. The second, I tend to gravitate towards things that are more character driven. I like things that feel writer driven. Most of my day is talking with authors, so I do like a really clear sense of authorship. And the shows that feel something contemporary about them, something that’s more of the moment. Broadly speaking.

Are you seeing any concerns over the returning rise of COVID?

Covid really impacted the industry in a big way in 2020. It felt like we’ve just been getting our feet back under us. Now with these strikes and COVID coming back, its just something I think we are going to have to live with and learn to manage. I think it’s here to stay and will always have some impact over production. So, we’re just going to have to continue to do the best to manage.

Having your own company and partnering with Amazon, do you find any friction in your partnership when it comes to selecting content?

They support my company. I have an overall deal with Amazon. I really look at them as partners more than anything. My job is to identify and produce content that makes its way onto their platform. So, I try to take as much direction from them as to what their needs are and do the best I can to satisfy their needs. I found it to be a very healthy partnership. They’ve been very good to me. I think it’s been a really great, successful partnership.

When you have identified your next production, how do you approach the hiring process?

I have the benefit of the inductive experience, and I have a really broad network in almost every category. It’s not a huge challenge to find people to fill those roles. I do continue to keep myself educated in terms of other writers, other directors, and other actors that we can work with. I have some of my go-to people that I work with, and a few others I’m in dialogue with for when the right opportunity comes. So, the networking part of that isn’t super complicated for me.

When you want to stay in the know, what are the best resources for you?

Just being a consumer of Pop Culture, really. I’m always watching shows or movies. If there’s something that strikes me in terms of a performance, or script or the direction, then I reach out and start that dialogue. That way when the right opportunity does come along, I’ve already been in touch with someone. I know it sounds super straight-forward, but it really isn’t much more complicated than that.

What are your favorite types of content to watch?

Probably nothing that will surprise you. I was a huge fan of Succession. I was a huge fan of White Lotus. Those are the two from this year that are kind of the standouts for me. Things that are character driven. Things with a bit of a sense of humor, even if they’re on the surface very dramatic.

How do you see the Entertainment industry evolving over the next 5 years?

That’s a really good question. Right now, in LA we’re in the middle of two strikes, one between the studios and the writer’s guild and the other between the studios and the actors. So, it’s been a complicated summer trying to get these contracts in order to get back to work. I think we’ll be with streaming for a long time. Though the amount of content will probably decrease. I think we’ve seen a firehose of offerings. I think it may have caused a quantity over quality issue and I think we’ll see a pull-back – which would be for the best. I think the peak of TV is really behind us, in terms of volume. I hope that it will yield just better products overall.

What advice would you have for someone who wants to become an Executive in the Entertainment industry?

I don’t think it’s new but work for someone with a job that looks interesting so you can work with someone who will lead you down the right road. Who you work for colors about 80% of your experience. So, I would be very careful who you work for. Be willing to start at the bottom and find someone who is willing to be a mentor.

Do you have comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions? Share with us at: [email protected]

Interested in being featured in one of our CxO Interviews? Email: [email protected]

Managing Information Overload Efficiently

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A newspaper has large sheets filled with loads of tiny font, why is this not like today’s information overload?

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Intuitively we understand the answer to this question, those printed articles are not being launched at us (unless we were standing outside, decades ago, and somebody was slinging it at our front door).

It is important to stay up to date and to be continuously learning, however, how we do so will make all the difference.

As we know very well, dealing with the constant influx of information from various platforms and sources can be overwhelming. Let’s better manage this by employing a combination of these and your own strategies:

Set Clear Goals

Define your objectives and what you aim to achieve by consuming information. Having clear goals will help you stay focused on relevant content.

Practice Information Triage

Quickly scan information to identify key points, and decide whether to delve deeper or move on. The Eisenhower Matrix (urgent/important) can help prioritize tasks and information.

Set Information Boundaries

Be assertive in what you choose to consume and for how long. Avoid falling into information rabbit holes.

Prioritize Your Information Sources

Identify the most valuable and relevant sources for your personal and professional needs. Unsubscribe or unfollow sources that don’t provide significant value.

Set Specific Information Consumption Times

Designate specific times during the day for checking and processing information, such as morning and afternoon “information breaks.” Avoid constant multitasking.

Create a Filtering System

Use email filters, social media lists, and news aggregators to sort and prioritize information. Categorize content based on its importance and relevance. Not everything that is shared needs to be read, even by sources you gain value from. Even this article if you’re already content with this skillset!

Develop Information Consumption Rituals

Establish a routine for managing your information, ensuring that it becomes a structured part of your daily life, and that you’re able to stay level-headed throughout consumption. For those who need to read lots in a short amount of time, reading beforehand may prepare the brain for information intake. For those who may be overwhelmed by news headlines, practicing meditation beforehand may be an effective intro. Tailor your routine to your needs.

Limit Notifications

Disable non-essential notifications on your devices. Only allow notifications from apps and sources that are essential to your immediate needs. Allow yourself the option to go and retrieve that which you need, when you need it, without overloading yourself from the outset.

Employ the Pomodoro Technique

Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves focused work intervals (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. This can help maintain productivity while managing distractions.

Stay Present

If we are lost in streams of information, we may reinforce our behavior by telling ourselves that what we’re doing and reading is important. Develop your own mindfulness techniques to stay present and avoid getting lost in a constant barrage of information. When needed, don’t be afraid to employ your own technique to help you recenter and regain focus.

Use Information Management Tools

Utilize tools like note-taking apps, task managers, and bookmarks to save and organize information for later reference. That piece may be important to read, but it may not be important to read right now.

Unplug Regularly

Allocate time to disconnect from all digital devices to recharge and reduce information overload. This reset is invaluable and can be felt physically as well as mentally and emotionally.

Learning How to Learn

Invest time in improving your information management skills. There are courses, books, and seminars available that can help you become more efficient in handling information.

Declutter Regularly

Periodically review and clean up your information sources, unsubscribing or unfollowing any that are no longer relevant or useful. Actively associating with or not associating with a source will also guide you on what your priorities are.

Effective information management is a continuous process and it’s important to adapt your strategies as your needs change.

Let us regain control over the constant information flow and use it advantageously.

Let us keep centered, read, and grow in the directions that are the most fitting.

Do you have comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions? Share with us at: [email protected]

Contact us and let’s get started!