Jeff Anders, Co-Founder of Ambrook, on how to go from designer to manager

The co-founder of Ambrook, Jeff Anders, shares his journey from being a designer to becoming a manager. He emphasizes that designers can transition into management by learning leadership skills, mentoring others, and taking initiatives. Jeff recommends starting with small steps, such as practicing what your teammates do or building what you design. This helps build empathy and understanding between departments. Additionally, Jeff highlights the importance of aligning incentives in economics and the environment, citing the example of the Texas energy crisis. He also shares his favorite books, including "The Design of Everyday Things," "Let My People Go Surfing," and recommends podcasts like "How to Save a Planet" and "Ologies." Jeff's advice for product managers, engineers, and designers working together is to grow empathy by designing something that helps you understand the designer's perspective. He stresses the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding in creating amazing products.