Learning the ropes when joining a new team or organization, or welcoming new teammates

For designers joining a new team

When designing at in-house orgs, I often switched between product teams. These questions helped me define my role and priorities.

• What problem are we [new team] trying to solve?
• What are we trying to learn next?
• What decisions are we not able to make today? (Where are our biggest assumptions that need to be evaluated?)
• What decisions or ideas do we feel most confident in? How have we evaluated them?
• What existing research should I review?
  • Have we acted on insights from this research?
• What do you envision me focusing on first? Why?

For design managers getting to know a new report

I’ve found a dedicated “ways of working preferences 1:1” helpful for getting to know new designers I support, influenced by this resource.

• What did you and [previous manager] discuss in 1:1s that was most helpful to you?
• [if inheriting an existing designer from an existing team] What have been your recent priorities over the past quarter or two?
• [if inheriting an existing designer from an existing team] What are your “pet projects”? (Ideas you’re passionate about but haven’t been realized yet)
• How would you describe your communication style? Describe your preferences around format, timing, etc.
• How do you like to be recognized for great work?
• What are your work-related pet peeves? (What makes you grumpy or gets in the way of doing your best work?)
• Design is a multifaceted discipline. What do you enjoy doing the most? What do you feel are your strengths?
• Where are you looking to grow? What do you want to do more of?