Seul Lee

Value-driven Product Designer | Founder of Ruda Design Studio

[Eric Partaker @Eric_Partaker]

It took me a while to understand this.

When I stepped into my first leadership role, I believed success was a result of perfect systems and processes.

But, as Mike Ettore so eloquently points out in this image from his book “Trust-Based Leadership”, you LEAD PEOPLE and MANAGE THINGS.

It wasn't until years later that I truly grasped this profound difference. But once I did, I began to see people, not as resources to be managed, but as individuals to be led with purpose and care.

Here are the most significant lessons I've learned from my experience:

1. Human Connections > Business Metrics

While KPIs and metrics are important, leaders build genuine relationships. They make the effort to know the person behind the role—understanding their aspirations, their concerns, and what motivates them beyond the numbers.

2. Distribute Decision-Making Power Across All Levels

Leaders trust their team enough to let them make their own decisions. I've repeatedly found that empowering your people builds their confidence, inspires them to be creative, and makes them accountable.

3. Come Down to Their Level

Leaders adapt to each team member's unique needs. Flexible work, personalized feedback, whatever it is… meet people where they are if you want them to thrive.

4. There is Power in Vulnerability

Leaders are transparent about struggles and uncertainties. I've learned that being open about my own challenges and seeking help when I need it builds trust. You share, you grow.

5. Identify And Celebrate Diversity

A high-performing team is also a well-rounded team. Identify and nurture each member’s strengths and create a space where they feel safe to contribute. Their varied perspectives and skills will only help you thrive.

6. Create Purpose-Driven Work
Your people are inspired when they understand how their contributions shape the bigger picture. Help them find meaning in their work and they will champion your business.

Leadership is not just about achieving outcomes but about enriching the lives of those you lead. And that can only happen by leading with compassion, kindness, and empathy.

Let's lead with not just our minds, but also our hearts. ❤️

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

I registered for Google I/O 2024 and earned a badge! Join me! #DevBadges #GoogleIO https://t.co/fkrOxXCDa9

[Peter Yang @petergyang]

Airbnb has a blueprint of their entire customer journey on their office walls.

They then map all product, policy, and service updates to it.

More companies should do this to avoid shipping the org chart.

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

OMG Thanks for sharing!! @ridd_design
https://t.co/XmjNXv7w0L
#designinspiration #uidesign #uxdesign #productdesign #designresources

[Ridd 🤿 @ridd_design]

Wow somebody put in WORK on this inspiration site 👏

A must-save for product designers 💯

[Ray Rodriguez @raydrodriguez]

We’re hiring a UI/UX designer for a remote full-time position. If interested, DM me a link to your latest work.
#uiux #figma #uiuxdesigner

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

Woohoo, I’m going to ADPList Product Day 2023. And just received my virtual VIP ticket! Looking forward to this 24hr bonanza of non-stop learning in groundbreaking work, career growth, future trends, and entrepreneurship 🎉! Learn more: https://t.co/mc3WFrM1Hm

#ProductDay2023

[DesignX Community @WeAreDesignX]

Who's #hiring for #design roles?
Share the opportunity below and we’ll retweet it, share to help you connect with designers and leaders in our 7500+ designer-strong Slack community! 👇 Let’s go! 🚀

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

@WeAreDesignX 👉 Role: product designer
🏢 company: GroupBy Inc
🗺️ Location: downtown toronto
👥 Team Size: 6
💼 Experience: intermediate-senior
💰Salary: Undisclosed
🔗 Apply URL (link):
https://t.co/2sGTnX1B9H

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

Congrats @adplist for raising $1.3M in Pre-Seed Funding!! #adplistmilestone Thanks to amazing founders and mentors and mentees, I’m super proud to be part of this community :D

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

Is @SlackHQ website (https://t.co/4E7z26l3rc) not working on chrome? or is it just me?

[Kylie Timpani @kylietimpani]

Here’s a long thread of things I did in my portfolio presentation for my current IC design role.

This isn’t advice on what you should do, but it might make you think differently about giving presentations.

So.

🧵 Bits and bobs below, with some reflections at the end.

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

Grabbed my spot for #RemoteDesignWeek Oct 3 - Oct 8, 2021 💥 Join me and @WeAreDesignX for a 5-day virtual conference from anywhere in the world 🌏 No travel required, pants optional 😉 https://t.co/HoOEXxo2mM

[Digital Main Street ™ @digital_mainst]

Our #ShopHERE program continues to support #sidepreneurs & #freelancers–we're giving away 60 free tickets to the 3 day #5to9conf by @WeAreDesignX

RT us with your #Ontario-based side project/freelance biz to win a spot (please make sure your account is public)! #DesignCommunity

[Design.local @designdotlocal]

Come join us tomorrow at 10am est, on Youtube live!
⠀⠀
Dive deeper and get to know your designer self.
⠀⠀
Join us to learn how to lay a foundation for your career.
⠀⠀
The ultimate guide for beginners and… https://t.co/Nqr6ZXL4OF

[Design.local @designdotlocal]

🎉 And we’re live! You can find our newest design challenges at https://t.co/G5V3IyjqfP.

Work with some amazing local organizations like @emergeguelph and #MasonVerte. Registration is open for 2 weeks – first come first serve! Grab your spot now, and let's get creative! 🎨

[Design.local @designdotlocal]

Join us to learn how to lay a foundation for your career!🌟The ultimate guide for beginners and intermediates alike. Join our webinar at 10AM on Saturday, June 6th, 2020. More details to come!✨

Follow @designdotlocal for more updates, and join our community! #careerdevelopment

[DesignX Community @WeAreDesignX]

Hear from @Google, @Autodesk, @IBM, @LinkedIn, @Walmart, @Microsoft to @figmadesign, @Dropbox, @Webflow, @SlackHQ, @Shopify, @Intersect_HQ and more at Remote Design Week - we added more speakers!✨ RT if you're attending, and we'll see you virtually 😉

https://t.co/MhRxo7n8qG

[covidhealthca @covidhealthca]

Help by liking and sharing our videos. We need to get the message out that staying home saves lives, and the more people that see our videos, the better. Thank you for your support and action. Together we can make a real, and visible difference from home. CovidhealthCA and @…

[Seul Lee @leeseul_design]

Amazing well made design documentary to watch! I watched this when it was on early access and I recall it as very informative and interesting to watch. Rewatching ❤️
#whattododuringquarantine #DesignDisruptors #designdocumentary #designer made @InVisionApp

[Freehand by InVision @InVisionApp]

Enter the world of 15+ industry-toppling companies with one unifying secret advantage: the transformative power of design!

Request access to #DesignDisruptors here 🚀 https://t.co/S927RqGpgN

[Max Roser @MaxCRoser]

All our work is now up-to-date for today Friday April 10 https://t.co/wU7x3bOYk7
–

This shows confirmed deaths relative to the size of the population.
– In Italy and Spain the rate of confirmed deaths is falling.
– In the US and Germany it's rising.
– And in Korea it stays low.