Skip to content Every manager is an experience designer. Some just don’t realize it.
Managers shape how people feel at work through how they assign work, communicate, and make decisions. Each of those moments sends a signal about what’s valued, what’s safe, and what success looks like.
Design happens whether it’s intentional or not. The difference between great and average managers is design awareness. When managers understand that every process, practice, and conversation creates an experience, they can shape culture on purpose instead of by accident.
A 2023 study from Copenhagen Business School, Design for Meaningful Work Experiences, found that intentionally designing for meaningful experiences enhances well-being and turns everyday challenges into opportunities for positive growth. It reinforces that thoughtful design isn’t cosmetic; it’s how people experience purpose and thrive at work.
Everyday Moves
Ask: “What experience do I want people on my team to have when they work with me?” Then design actions that make that experience visible.
Map the touchpoints you influence, including one-on-ones, feedback, recognition, and meetings, and evaluate how each feels from the person’s view.
Choose one interaction to redesign this week. End meetings with a shared takeaway, open check-ins with appreciation, or adjust how you follow up on ideas. Small moments make lasting impressions.
Design awareness is just the beginning. The impact comes from iteration: observing, adjusting, and improving how each experience feels. When managers experiment with small redesigns, they build the same mindset designers use : curiosity, empathy, and responsiveness. That’s how management becomes an act of design and work becomes an experience people remember.
What’s one everyday moment you could redesign to make work feel more meaningful for your people?
