Empowering board leaders to lead with empathy, clarity, and impact
At StudioSIX5, we believe that the foundation of great design is human connection—not just materials or finishes. The environments we create are rooted in empathy, community, and culture. That same philosophy shapes how we lead our teams. As President Joe Biden reminded us, “strong workplaces are built on strong personal relationships.” That powerful truth resonates deeply with our studio’s people-first culture—and it served as the perfect jumping-off point for a conversation I recently led on modern leadership.
Last week, I had the honor of speaking at the IIDA Texas-Oklahoma Chapter’s annual board retreat, hosted at the beautiful McCoy Rockford showroom in Austin. It was a privilege to connect with fellow leaders and share insights on how board members—especially those new to management—can lead with clarity, empathy, and accountability.
The theme of my session was Strategic People Leadership for New Managers. While many IIDA board members come from design and creative backgrounds, not all have formal experience managing teams. That’s why we focused on equipping them with foundational tools to navigate common people challenges—from shaping team culture and giving feedback, to addressing underperformance and leading through ambiguity.
One of the key messages I shared came from the SHRM25 conference I attended earlier this summer, where President Biden’s reminder about the power of personal relationships took center stage. That sentiment became the heart of my presentation. Leadership isn’t just about process—it’s about people. Whether you’re a full-time manager or a volunteer board chair, how you show up for your team truly matters.
We explored topics such as:
- Strategic team design and the role of leadership in succession planning
- Building high-performance cultures grounded in psychological safety and recognition
- Delivering feedback that is honest, helpful, and human
- Practicing inclusion as a mindset and daily habit, not just a policy
The session closed with an interactive case study that invited board members to think through a challenging—yet relatable—performance scenario. They were asked to explore how they would coach a peer or team member through it. The discussion was candid, thoughtful, and energizing. One participant shared, “It’s easy to talk about culture, but this helped me realize how it really shows up in the hard moments.” That reflection captured the spirit of the entire session.
I walked away reminded of something I often tell new leaders: You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to ask better questions, listen with intention, and lead with both empathy and accountability.
Thank you to the IIDA Texas-Oklahoma Chapter for inviting me into such a meaningful conversation. And heartfelt thanks to the StudioSIX5 team for continuing to champion bold leadership, not only in design, but in the culture, we cultivate every day.
If you’re stepping into a leadership role, formal or informal, I encourage you to lead with curiosity and compassion. That’s where the real impact begins.
