Response 2

For the readings this week, these reading were all about leadership and how it relates with design and design principles. The first article talks about clients and their relationship with designers. In the article ‘Leadership is The Strategic Issue,’ the author goes over how the design designs are made by the client even though the client don’t typically know anything about design. The client instead is focused on the business aspect, which can typically go against what the designer has in mind. I think this accurately describes some clientele. Sometimes, just like the author was stating, there is a disconnect with the wishes of the designer and the wishes of the clientele. I personally had an experience when the clientele wanted more and more added to the logo, but I was telling the client that adding more would make it too much. However at the end of the day, it is the designer’s job to make the client happy. All we can do is jus dissuade them and show them better options, but to continue with the readings. The article also talked a little about the relationship of a CEO of a company and the company’s graphic design team. The article goes into that the designers would need to stop trying to educate CEOs about how designers see the world and instead try to educate themselves about how a CEO sees the world.
I think this is interesting, but rather strange concept. I think most, if not all CEO’s and company leaders see the importance of their design team. Yes, the creators/inventors are the one for the creator of the product, and the manufactures are the ones responsible for making that product on mass. BUT the designers are the ones responsible for giving that brand an identity. They are the ones who make the packaging, make the brand logo, make the marketing campaigns, and so much more. Yes, there is always going to be some disconnect with the people up top and the people who work under them, but that’s why we have managers and directors. Their job is to make sure that the people like the CEOs are happy and shows them why the progress that was made is important to the company. This is why a lot of those leaders have financial meetings or annual reports. These are done to show the progress that was made and to show its importance, but this is something that the net part of the reading talk about.
Maria Giudice talks about the difference between a leadership role and a managerial role. Se states,“The only requirement for being a leader is to have followers. Managers need to be prompted, but leaders emerge.” I believe this to be very true. The reason why a lot of people don’t like their managers is truly because  lot of them have this power trip. They believe that they are better than you, and like to have someone to boss around. The only reason why you do it, is because you have no choice. You can’t say no or you run the risk of being fired. There is a certain level of fear which doesn’t foster a good working environment. Now a leader comes up because someone said,“We need to work together, and I’m willing to keep us together and on track.” Leaders can come up and chosen by the people, which gives them a certain level of respect. In my experience I haven’t had a manager or head figure of shorts that I didn’t respect. Most of the time, the managers that I worked with have always been quote on quote ‘normal employees’ at some point and worked their way up to that leadership position. Yes, the people didn’t chose them, but they have earned that position through time and dedication.