As we wrap up 2025, I want to leave you with something practical you can use to close the year with intention and design the next one on purpose. I’m sharing Mel Robbins’ Best Year workbook as a resource for our community — it’s a simple, research-backed way to look honestly at your highs and lows, then decide what you’ll stop, continue and start in 2026. Use it in your own time over the next few days, and if you’d like to share any reflections or intentions for 2026, this thread is the place. Thank you for being part of the first chapter of Lead by Design — can’t wait to see what we grow into together next year. 🌱✨ Until next year! Jaco

Whether you’re a seasoned design leader steering complex digital ecosystems, or an aspiring design executive preparing to step into your first leadership role — you belong here. This isn’t just another design community.This is a home for visionaries, changemakers, and product pioneers who believe that design leadership is more than just pixels and prototypes — it’s about creating a vision, aligning teams, and driving innovation at scale. What you can expect here: ☕️ Weekly Coffee Hours — casual virtual meetups where we discuss real-world challenges, share leadership lessons, and unpack the evolving role of design leadership in the age of AI, remote work, and digital transformation. 📚 Free & Premium Content — from exclusive playbooks and case studies to deep-dive workshops on stakeholder alignment, design strategy, and leading high-performing teams. 🎯 Expert Insights & Peer Coaching — learn not just from me, but from your fellow design leaders across industries, all navigating the same challenges and opportunities. 💬 Open Conversations — this is a safe space to ask hard questions, get unfiltered feedback, and sharpen your leadership craft. New members, please introduce yourself and share a pic of your workspace or your team in the comments!