If you're a senior designer, a new manager, or a manager who's struggling, this series of exercises might help. These are not advices. I believe folks have the capability and the right intentions but in the day-to-day, the basics get lost. Consider these exercises as simple reminders.

1. Exercise #1: Work visibility

2. Exercise #2: Writing & expressing in private

The next one covers two important themes:

1. Gratitude

2. Reading so you can apply

One becomes a manager by designation (either earned, inherited, or hierarchy) but becomes a leader by how the team looks up to them without even realising. Team is not just the team below you but also your peers, your oversights (direct or indirect). Expressing thankfulness and thinking deeply, really deeply are characteristics that create this pull around you. However, creating this pull requires practicing gratitude and learning new things (via many sources inc. books) respectively.

This time, there are two exercises.. for 2-weeks:

Practice gratitude

Gift something thoughtful (with a personal note) to someone in the team who you really feel thankful towards. Your personal note should reflect truly how you feel in detail. Don’t make it a generic thank you or against a project only. Make it such that it feels like someone thought about it deeply before gifting and they really meant it. It should make the recipient feel like showing off to their friends and family.

Applied reading

Most struggle with reading books. Most also pick-up books that they either don't need or can't apply immediately at work or anything in personal life. Reading is important. Applying what you read is even more important.

In context of your job, think of this as your responsibility now.

I'll recommend a simple book which is applicable to most and relevant too — Gung Ho by Ken Blanchard. (You're free to pick any book of your choice that you can apply immediately at work)

After you finish reading the book, write about your key takeaways with application at work — how would you apply the take aways tactically in your next few tracks/ projects/ teams in detail.

All the best!