On Building Positive Momentum

I’m writing this post on International Women’s Day while the love and posts being shared on social media channels are amplifying and warming!

It’s on days like today we take the opportunity to amplify other’s voices, their work, and their impact. In these moments, I often think about the people in my life who have inspired me, who have (and continue to) teach me new lessons, and who push me to be my best self (as a daughter, a designer, a leader, a partner, and overall human).

As a leader of a small design team, I find myself reflecting on how I, other leaders, and the individuals on our WW team push each other, encourage each other’s growth, and build the momentum that keeps us eagerly striving to be the best team we can. In this spirit, Here are a few ways in which my team and the leaders around me have built this type of positive momentum.

Ensuring cross-team collaboration and communication

As many of you may empathize with, my team at WW is lean and scrappy. We don’t have all the individuals we yet need to be as efficient as possible (e.g., project-level managers to support agile crews in communication, design program managers to help designers live their best WW design life), but that is OK — we enjoy the opportunistic nature of our work (with the occasional exceptions — let’s be real haha). The challenge we often face is… how to ensure others are up-to-speed and in-the-loop so that we aren’t misaligned and so that everyone — no matter their role — can be successful.

I want to shout out those of us:

• Who always assume positive intent and use their proactive intuition to bridge gaps between teams via a simple Slack message or additions to a meeting invite so that the right people who should be in that meeting are. Because, honestly, we were probably working to damn fast for our own good. haha

• Who ensure there’s no lack of ‘next steps’ at the end of a meeting. Making sure we have a clear path forward within the complex problem spaces we strive to solve.

• Who are always following up making sure there aren’t lulls for their team. We check in with the folks we work with, not just the folks on our team or within our disciplines. We hold each other accountable and give a helping hand when needed.

Helping others find their voice and their platforms

A few weeks ago, my manager — Randy Beringer — made a great point. We have a ton of talent on our team — how might we utilize this brain trust and learn from each other? We have folks who are incredible animators, expert problem framers, and well-spoken influencers. Let’s not waste this opportunity to grow from one another.

We asked our team who they would like to learn from on their team. I was inspired by the number of responses and the love given to their teammates. We all have special skills that can be shared with others.

Now we are working with these talented folks to support them in crafting rich content and to find a platform and forum (presentation, tutorial, workshop) to amplify their skills while sharing their wisdom.

Amplifying others voices

While we support and lift each other up, we’re also continuously advocating for the voices that matter most: Our WW members and teammates.

I was recently in a cross-disciplinary meeting where I would have once been a bit nervous that folks might feel like their toes were stepped on or their voices might not have been heard… But I didn’t feel the slightest hint of ego in the room.

Folks discussed what we knew about our members and what we wanted to learn. But, more importantly, they were:

• Sharing insights that others had taught them

• Reiterating great ideas while giving credit to those who first created them

• And, discussing approaches to learning more while amplifying each other’s strengths

It’s taken time, tons of effort from all, and lots of listening… I couldn’t have left that meeting more proud to be a member of the WW team at that moment. We have come so far!

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To end this post on a warming note like so many others today, I’d like to thank my team and the leaders around me for building this positive momentum. Each day becomes even more enjoyable than the next as we work (so darn hard) together to make the world a healthier place.

As we continue to embark on this mission, I’m sure we’ll find more ways to communicate more inclusively, amplify each other’s voices, build on our momentum, and grow as a team of individuals.

I’m excited to continue learning from and with you all. 🤓

Happy International Women’s Day! 💛