Many designers are chasing the next promotion before they’ve done the work that earns it.
There’s a growing trend to focus on levelling up instead of levelling in. Asking for bigger titles, more money, and more influence before proving your value. Ambition isn’t the problem. But skipping the hard parts is.
You can’t bypass the reps. And you can’t shortcut leadership.
Promotions Don’t Make Leaders
Being promoted doesn’t mean you’re a leader. It means someone has given you a new title.
Leadership isn’t about hierarchy or job titles. It’s about behaviour. About taking ownership, earning trust, and helping others grow. That often starts long before you’re officially in charge.
Many designers believe that climbing the ladder will unlock status, respect, and financial freedom. The title becomes the trophy. But leadership is not a reward for tenure. It’s a responsibility. One that gets harder, not easier, the higher you go.
The Job Changes. So Must You.
Being a manager doesn’t mean doing more of what you’ve always done. It means doing less of it and helping others do it better.
You move from creator to multiplier. From crafting the work to coaching the team. From being measured by what you make to being measured by what others make under your guidance.
You’ll need to give up control. Step away from the pixels. Start making decisions that impact people’s careers, not just the creative output. Most of those decisions aren’t glamorous. They’re messy. They involve budgets, resourcing, performance issues, and emotional intelligence. That’s the job.
Less Praise, More Pressure
One of the hardest lessons for new leaders is how little recognition you get.
You will not be thanked as often as you expect. You may be resented for having authority. You’ll be the target of frustration, even when you’re doing the right thing. Your decisions will be questioned. Your intentions misunderstood.
You are unlikely to be liked by everyone. If you’re lucky, you’ll be respected.
This isn’t a popularity contest. You’re here to create clarity, uphold standards, and carry the weight of responsibility. It can be lonely. But that’s part of the role.
Leadership Is Earned in the Reps
There is no fast track. The work always comes first. You have to build the foundation before asking for the corner office.
Learn how to think beyond the screen. Understand the business. Learn to manage time, energy, and expectations. Make peace with the fact that you’ll rarely be the one doing the work anymore. Your impact will come from elevating others.
Real leadership starts when people begin to follow your example without being told. When they look to you for direction, support, and inspiration. When your presence helps them become better at what they do.
Do Great Work, Then Share the Credit
Leadership requires humility. It requires you to give away the spotlight and take full responsibility when things go wrong. To protect your team and back their decisions. To lead by example, not ego.
This is not to discourage you. Leadership is vital. Good leaders shape the culture, raise the bar, and leave lasting impact. But it is not something you ask for. It is something others ask of you.
So enjoy where you are. Make things you’re proud of. Learn from the leaders who inspire you. Build your character before you build your title.
Then one day, when someone asks if you’re ready to lead, you’ll be able to answer with confidence.
And if you’re already making that transition and want support navigating it, I coach senior designers stepping into leadership. Get in touch if that’s a conversation you want to have.