How to become a great design leader?
Journey from the big picture to the small details.
Once upon a time, there was a king who desired his son to inherit his responsibilities and become the future ruler. To accomplish this, he sent his son to seek the approval of a wise sage in the forest. When the prince encountered the sage, he inquired if he was prepared for the role. In response, the sage instructed the prince to venture deep into the forest and return after three months. Three months passed, and the prince returned as instructed. Curious, the sage asked the prince to describe everything he had heard during his time in the forest. The prince replied, "Master, I could hear the mighty roar of the lion, the resonating trumpet of the elephant, the thunderous downpour of heavy rains, and the cascading waterfall." The sage then advised him to go back to the forest for an additional three months and listen attentively.
Compliant and obedient, the prince embarked on his second journey and came back after three months. This time, the sage inquired about any new sounds he had perceived. The prince responded, "I could hear the gentle hum of the bees, the delicate footsteps of the ants, the whispering wind among the trees, and the chorus of crickets and frogs at night." The sage dismissed him, stating, "You are still not ready to assume the role of a king. Return for another three months."
The prince complied and returned to the forest, but he hurriedly came back within a month, eager to share what he had discovered. "I could now hear the early morning sun rays colliding with the rocks, the blossoming of flowers, the formation of dew drops on leaves, and the descent of dry leaves." Pleased with his progress, the sage granted the prince permission to become the next king.
This tale illuminates the importance of understanding the subtleties within any undertaking. Without being attuned to these nuances, one can never fully craft the overall experience.
Perhaps even Charles Eames sought to convey the same idea with his renowned quote:
The details are not the details. They make the design.
- Charles Eames
A similar story can be found in the Parables of Leadership.