47 ‘non-design’ qualities every designer should have

• Write clear emails
• Be flexible; briefs change
• Find problems before they occur
• Bring energy to the table
• Don’t take design critique as an insult
• Understand the impact of moving that button
• Make people around you feel comfortable
• Bring 3 solutions with every complaint
• Don’t give up too fast
• Mute your microphone when not speaking
• Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses
• Bend, but not break
• Take notes; it shows respect
• Pay attention to details
• Get off your chair to point at something in the screen
• Get off your chair to whiteboard
• Know exactly which Slack reactions to use, when
• Avoid jargon
• Fail gracefully
• Be aware of your own bias
• Simplify
• Offer to help before being asked
• Make a silly joke every other hour
• Explore at least 3 options for everything
• Give credit
• Deliver your work in layers
• Smile
• Break down big tasks into smaller pieces
• Know when to work late
• Do your own research, even if you’re not a researcher
• Write copy for your designs, even if you’re not a writer
• Organize your own tasks, even if you’re not a project manager
• Lead, even if that word is not in your title
• Deliver your work 2 hours ahead
• Expand your skill set over time
• Invite people for coffee
• Honor requests
• Share your source files
• Be ready for a meeting 2 minutes before it starts
• Know how to negotiate
• Engage with the design community
• Share thought leadership content online
• Avoid conversations that will exclude some people
• Back your decisions with data whenever possible
• Don’t hold information that can help others thrive
• Encourage feedback
• Leverage the strengths of others around you

Inspired by master of marketing, Seth Godin, and adapted to the design universe.

Anything missing in the list? Drop a comment below.