The other day my eldest asked, “Mummy, what does deciduous mean?”
I answered, not so confidently, “Erm... a type of dinosaur…?”
Cue laughter. (For the record, I was wrong. Not a stegosaurus.)
But in that moment, he reminded me that I’m not always the expert. I forget things I once knew, I’m constantly learning new things, and sometimes the people around me – whether they’re 5 or 55 – know more than I do.
And that brings me to work, because the team I lead as a Design Director at Brandon keep me curious, just like my kids do. They challenge me. They show me things I’ve not seen before. They keep me on my toes, eager to learn, grow, and step into roles like mine one day. I am responsible for giving them the space, support, and clarity they need to thrive, just like I try to do at home with my kids.
So here are five things I’ve noticed that overlap between being a parent and being a design leader:
1. Clarity is key
My kids like to know the plan. Where are we going? How will we get there? Who’s coming with us? What’s it going to be like? Will there be snacks?
The latter is always the question on my mind too and my team – quite rightly – want the same. What’s the brief? Who’s doing what? How will we approach it? What does success look like?
It's my job to guide us. To keep the wheels turning and ensure that everyone is snacked up or creatively fuelled. To get us to the destination but also make the journey feel safe and worthwhile.
2. Be honest. Be humble.
I don’t always get it right, and I try not to pretend otherwise. At home or work, saying “I don’t know” or “I got that wrong” builds trust and opens the door for collaboration. It shows that being human is not just okay, it’s expected. We’re in it together. That’s the point.
3. Trust your gut
In contrast to the last point, sometimes you just know. That sharp “No” I might use at home when something’s not safe? That same instinct kicks in at work when I know something isn’t right for the brand, the brief, or the cultural moment.
The more experience you have – as a parent or as a design leader – the more you build that innate sense of when something’s going to land and when it’s going to miss.
Sometimes the experts suggest something that just doesn’t feel right for your child. Or your client. And that’s okay. Knowing when to listen to that voice and when to override it is all part of the job.
4. Stay open to learning
This one hits daily. Whether it’s my kids showing me how to change the input on the TV or a designer showing me a better way to prompt AI, I’m constantly learning. I’ve been doing this a while (parenting and design), but I’m still learning every day. New perspectives, new people, new tools, new thinking. Every day’s a school day, and anyone can be the teacher or the student.
5. Know when to lead – and when to let go
At home, I guide. I protect. I teach. But I also step back and let them figure things out. It’s the same at work. I want to equip my team to make confident, informed decisions even when I’m not in the room. Sometimes I need to lead from the front, other times I need to support from the side. Knowing when to do which is something I’m still learning.
This isn’t to say that my team at work are like my children. They’re not. They’re smart, capable adults who inspire me every day. But me? I am the same version of myself in both spaces. A messy, layered, evolving version of Katie.
The more I reflect, the more I think parenting has made me a better design leader and, hopefully, leading design has made me a better parent too. And I think that’s something worth noticing.