LOADING
2
HOURS A MONTH
2-week workshop

Developing as a Design Manager

Hosted by
Jian Wei

Director of Design, Zendesk

A two-week program for both new managers experiencing challenges for the first time or seasoned managers who are looking to up-level their management skills.

UPCOMING COHORT

June 7, 2023

Join the WaitlistSAVE YOUR SPOT
Last day to enroll:
June 7, 2023
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Trusted by design professionals who
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A Plan to Develop Your Management Skills

Discuss your specific challenges and learn new skills, strategies and techniques for your journey into management and how to create a clear plan to grow intentionally.

Peer Learning and Interaction

Complete the program alongside a group of peers who will keep you accountable and inspired. 

Time to Complete

2 hours a week for 2 weeks join on Zoom. Access the video recordings if you can't attend on Zoom.


Workshop Curriculum

MODULE 
2
:
How to measure your impact and manage your team
June 7, 2023 9:30 AM
PDT

COURSE OVERVIEW

Learn how to manage your time as a manager

How do you know if you're ready to transition from an individual contributor to a manager? How do you start conversations with your manager about moving into people management? How can you be successful in managing? Making the transition is not easy and is important to have clarity into your skills.

The two-day workshop aims to equip designers who are exploring a transition into people management with tools, frameworks, and resources to help them strengthen their skills and work effectively as new managers.

Learn Jian Wei's philosophy and methods for a smooth transition. This two-part workshop series will leave you with clarity and energy to understand the attributes and expectations of a design manager, and how to measure your impact and be successful as a design manager.

We believe that the human dimensions essential to start any successful project and that this is where splendid emotional relationships between the company and people are born.

ACCESS OUR MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY

Be part of the private community of
transformational leaders

You have to make difficult decisions every day with imperfect information on problems you’ve likely never faced before. Learn from the experience and mistakes of other product and design leaders who’ve been there, done that.

What's included?

  • Access worksheets, templates, and resources for how to level up as a manager
  • Discuss your specific challenges with Jian Wei in 2 weekly live sessions
  • Access to video recording of the lectures and practical exercises
  • One year of learning to level up your management skills
  • Lifetime access to program content & videos
  • Be part of a curated community of design leaders across the world
CAN'T JOIN THIS TIME?

Stay in the loop about future cohorts.

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Meet your trainers

MODULE

1

Jian Wei

Director of Design

Zendesk

DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

June 7, 2023

  -  

9:30 am

As the Product Design Director at Zendesk in San Francisco, Jian Wei leads and manages a team to deliver exceptional customer relationship platforms for small and large enterprises, focusing on enhancing the core support agent experience, seamless data integration, and efficient workflows.

Jian Wei has a wealth of experience in enterprise design, customer support innovation, and localizing design for a global audience. He is passionate about building strong design culture and mentoring senior designers, helping them to hone their craft and advance towards design management roles.

In addition, Jian Wei lends his expertise as a Design Advisor at Aevice Health, a medical tech startup dedicated to improving patient and healthcare provider connections in the chronic respiratory disease space.


0
1

MODULE

2

Jian Wei

Director of Design

Zendesk

DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

June 7, 2023

  -  

9:30 am

As the Product Design Director at Zendesk in San Francisco, Jian Wei leads and manages a team to deliver exceptional customer relationship platforms for small and large enterprises, focusing on enhancing the core support agent experience, seamless data integration, and efficient workflows.

Jian Wei has a wealth of experience in enterprise design, customer support innovation, and localizing design for a global audience. He is passionate about building strong design culture and mentoring senior designers, helping them to hone their craft and advance towards design management roles.

In addition, Jian Wei lends his expertise as a Design Advisor at Aevice Health, a medical tech startup dedicated to improving patient and healthcare provider connections in the chronic respiratory disease space.


0
2

Meet Your Trainer

Jian Wei

Director of Design, Zendesk

As the Product Design Director at Zendesk in San Francisco, Jian Wei leads and manages a team to deliver exceptional customer relationship platforms for small and large enterprises, focusing on enhancing the core support agent experience, seamless data integration, and efficient workflows.

Jian Wei has a wealth of experience in enterprise design, customer support innovation, and localizing design for a global audience. He is passionate about building strong design culture and mentoring senior designers, helping them to hone their craft and advance towards design management roles.

In addition, Jian Wei lends his expertise as a Design Advisor at Aevice Health, a medical tech startup dedicated to improving patient and healthcare provider connections in the chronic respiratory disease space.


Strategies to grow into a design manager

Understand your skills and areas of improvement and how to decide if management is right for you. Grow into a design manager. Inspire others to collaborate and work towards a more cohesive and intentional career journey.

UPCOMING COHORT

June 7, 2023

Join the WaitlistEnroll Now
Last day to enroll:
June 7, 2023

Testimonials

What attendees are saying

Soren Iverson
Designer
 * 
CashApp

I was navigating the transition from Sr. to Staff level and looking to figure out how to grow without transitioning to management. Frank was transparent, clear, and concise in the way that he codifies his advice on how to expand your role within an organization. It articulated a lot of loose ideas that had been floating around in my head. I feel more confident and secure in my capabilities as a product designer that can lead without needing to go down the traditional management path.



Connor Blacksher
Senior Product Designer
 * 
West Monroe

"I am more confident and comfortable being vulnerable at work, to advocating for myself and I have a much better understanding of how to engage in discussions about career promotions with my manager. It is important to always be advocating for where you want to be. In this program, I got a toolbox of resources and lots of support from design leaders like Frank Bach and the community."

Shaina Silver
Lead Product Designer
 * 
Hulu

I am very glad my manager encouraged me to take this course. I more recently was promoted as a Design Product Lead and Imposter Syndrome really sunk its claws deep. Being part of this immersive workshop felt like "Design Therapy" with fellow designers. I now know I'm not alone in this journey. Creating a safe space together, Frank and our cohort have already provided the awareness of this Lead Foundational Toolkit I didn't realize I had within me all along.

Priyanka Kodikal
Principle Product Designer
 * 
Ableton
Elliott Aldrich
Senior Design Manager
 * 
Amazon

I took the UX leadership workshop with Courtney Kaplan. I found the workshop to be full of useful guidance, interactive conversations and frameworks for improving my design leadership presence. The ongoing follow-up coaching workshops and discussion forums have been especially powerful for me to check back in and hear from peers in a similar space.

Yen Pham
Senior Product Designer
 * 
Walmart eCommerce
Cammy W Lin
Design Manager
 * 
Everlaw

RETHINK's coaching programs are the most thoughtful and structured I have ever experienced. They matched me with the best mentor I could have ever asked for.I am forever thankful for the structure that was put in place to foster fruitful conversations and to connect more meaningfully allowing a friendship to grow from it.

Sue Candelier
UX Design Director
 * 
CaliforniaColleges

“Developing Confidence to Influence and Lead, with Frank Bach helped me ask those hard questions, understand perspective in my career and how to value my diverse background.”

Aniruddha Kadam
Design Manager
 * 
Google

Becoming a RETHINK member has been the best boost for my career as a design leader, helping me build my brand across the industry. I was able to leverage the resources on the platform, connect with the design community and get shared perspectives from other leaders on design management and more. I found a safe space for connecting with the community in a meaningful way. It has helped me to foster meaningful relationships, some of them turned into a friendship

Sarah Scussel
Manager, Product Design
 * 
Scribd

Becoming a member of and mentor with RETHINK has been such a boost to my confidence as a growing manager. I was inspired by an in-person event in SF to become a mentor, which was scary and exciting as someone transitioning from IC to manager. I was so nervous to take on that role with other senior designers, but Julie and her team created a perfect match — so perfect, in fact, that I ended up hiring my mentee after the program ended and I consider her a close friend!

Since then, the RETHINK community has been an incredible resource for me. I love that I can turn to this group of talented and vulnerable leaders when I need inspiration or help with the struggles of managing a remote creative team. I really can't say enough good things about RETHINK!

Parker Simon
Lead Product Designer
 * 
Torch
Sanchita Chamberlain
Product Designer
 * 
Hashicorp

I didn't have the mentorship or support I needed for career growth. I longed for a design community outside of the design team at work. I felt like I was hitting a dead end. I don't have a traditional design background and was tired of justifying my design experience and skills. The workshop validated I've come a long way as a designer in the short period of time I've practiced. My previous experience made me a better designer. I also have learning and growth to do and I was given the tools to improve.

Difficult conversations with my manager and stakeholders came easier when I applied the framework I learned through the workshop. I was able to ask the hard questions to understand what was specifically holding me back from growing and identified what was out of my control. It gave me the confidence boost I needed to start looking for a new job. After working with Courtney Kaplan & RETHINK I was able to land a product design role on a new design team. I absolutely love my new team and the work culture. I am working on impactful projects and feel confident as I navigate a new company culture and product team.



Neek Zanfack
Senior Product Designer
 * 
NextDoor

I became more self-aware about my skills and how to approach areas of improvement.I learned how to properly track my work, measure my progress and ways to manage my career growth.

Carly Johnson
Design Manager
 * 
eBay

RETHINK programs gave me great insight into the next steps of my career, as well as many resources to help carry me through the next few months.I feel like I left the program with exactly what I needed - a plan to upgrade my career over the next few years.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK

How will you learn?

Leadership Academy is a 6-week professional growth program investing in the next generation of design leaders. You'll get matched with a mentor and a group of 2--3 design peers for mentorship, accountability and discuss challenges. You'll also join workshops and live sessions (six live sessions, one each week) to learn from experienced design leaders.

Learn from Experienced Leaders

Attend an intimate workshop-style program that will enhance your perspective on better collaboration. Join practical sessions (one per week) to solidify what you're learning and apply the frameworks and concepts in action.

Learn with a Small Peer Group

This program is designed to facilitate peer learning and interaction. Going through a program, you will connect with a group of curated design peers facing similar challenges like you is the best way to ensure transformation for your career. We're keeping the cohort small to ensure you master the concepts we're teaching, learn and get support from peers.


Accountability & Personalized Feedback

Get personalized feedback from other learners in intimate design peer groups. For the 6 weeks programs you get matched with a mentor and a small group of 2-4 design peers with complementary skills and knowledge for mentorship and ongoing structured meetings for peer learning, to support you and keep you on track to achieve your goals.

Join a Private Community

Join our member-only community. Get 1 year access to Leadership Circle where you'll continue to be supported via ongoing events and accountability after the program.

Ask Questions

Get support on your challenges

Build your network

Learn by Doing

This program is structured as: “Learn → Practice → Get Feedback". Each week you get a worksheet to practice, actionable methods and tactics to summarize the concepts and help you immediately put them into action.

Frameworks, worksheets and resources

Lectures, homework and practice sessions

FAQs

Frequent questions

How does the program work?

Leadership Academy is a 6-week professional growth program investing in the next generation of design leaders. After you apply, your application will be reviewed and you will find out in 5 - 7 days if you qualify. You'll receive next steps and a link to pay for the program.

When the program starts, you'll get matched with a mentor and a group of 2--3 design peers to for mentorship, accountability and discuss challenges. You'll also join workshops and live sessions (six live sessions, one each week) to learn from experienced design leaders.

Additionally, you'll be part of our Leadership Circle for 12 months. There you'll get to connect with other design leaders, and peers for advice, guidance, accountability, and much more.

What is my time commitment per week to finish the program?

To make the most out of this program recommend to set aside 2 hours a week to attend the workshops, complete the homework. Once every two weeks you'll meet with your mentor and your group.

- Meet with your group: 1 hour/ every two weeks. A total of 3 meetings.
- Attend Live Workshops: 2 hour/ week.
- Apply the Concepts: 20 - 30 minutes / week to reflect on materials and practice on your own.

You are welcome to put into it as much time as you can. This is an investment in your career growth.

What time are the workshops?

Most live sessions will happen on Thursdays at 9:30am PDT. Click here to convert that time to your own time zone.

There will be 6 live sessions with one per week, for 6 weeks. Although recordings of the talks are available we highly recommend you join live for the full experience.

How much does the program cost?

Attending the program is an investment of $1,395 USD which includes access to all workshops from the program and an annual membership to access RETHINK Leadership Circle. If your company would like to purchase 8 or more tickets, please contact us at hello@rethinkhq.com. We can provide an invoice if needed.

Will I be able to expense this to my company? 

Yes. Many of our program applicants are able to expense the program tuition to their company. The return on investment compared to a conference or other opportunities is much greater. You get structured content, hands-on learning, lasting community, and actionable strategies to help you develop practical leadership skills for effective collaboration with your cross-functional teams. Contact hello@rethinkhq.com for further questions.

Do you offer certificate of completion? 

Yes. A certificate of completion is available after the program. That requires you to attend all 6 live sessions and meet with your small group 3 times over the course of 6 weeks. Contact hello@rethinkhq.com for questions.

Do you offer scholarships?

We offer scholarships for underrepresented groups or people who need financial support to attend. This is possible because of partnership with Pinterest and also kind people who donated to the scholarship fund: Aniruddha Kadam, Al Hertz, Liz Heidner, Shara Rosenbalm. If you need financial support to attend this program please reach out to hello@rethinkhq.com.

How long will I have access to the program resources?

You’ll have lifetime access to the program materials to help you successfully lead and influence at work.

Starting with the 6-week live program, you’ll also have access to Leadership Circle, the talk recordings from the events in the program, member-only events, and our community for ongoing support for a total of 12 months.

Add new event
Developing as a Design Manager

Program Curriculum

Watch the video recording of the lecture and the exercises that are part of the program.
understand-the-skills-expectations-of-a-design-manager
Module
1

Understand the skills expectations of a design manager

Jian Wei
Director of Design, Zendesk
how-to-measure-your-impact-and-manage-your-team
Module
2

How to measure your impact and manage your team

Jian Wei
Director of Design, Zendesk
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Developing as a Design Manager

Action Items

Here you will see the most up to date tasks you have to complete for this Program.
This Program does not contain any additional tasks.
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Developing as a Design Manager

Calendar

Here you will see the lectures coming up in the program.

All the workshops in the program

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Jun 7
Understand the skills expectations of a design manager
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9:30 am

PDT

-

Jian Wei, Zendesk

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Jun 7
How to measure your impact and manage your team
RSVP

9:30 am

PDT

-

Jian Wei, Zendesk

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Developing as a Design Manager

Mentorship

Here you will find resources and templates for the mentorship program.
Article
How to Be a Career-Changing Mentor
How do you know when to share your own perspective and when to listen? How do you plant the seed of trust, then tend that relationship over time?
Template
Meeting Agenda Template
You can use this guiding document to prepare for each meeting. Share with your Mentees to fill it in.

Developing as a Design Manager

A two-week program for both new managers experiencing challenges for the first time or seasoned managers who are looking to up-level their management skills.

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Director of Design

395
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