Your team is demotivated by unexpected design changes. How can you reignite their passion and drive?

Design changes are typically supported by a few key factors like usability, market trends, and customer preferences. These can be justified and planned in a comprehensive technology roadmap and shared. It is also important to recognize timeline shifts to ensure deliverables are realistic. This should be a collaborative exercise with the dev team. Ultimately, everyone is onside to ensure that the customer is well served and gets the product they want that will address their business needs.

Collaboration is the key! Making sure folks are being heard during the process can help you avoid this. But, if this was not the case, circling back and giving them the opportunity to have their input heard and understanding why they may have different ideas can help you talk through the hows and whys of the decisions made. It may even open up ideas that were not considered, and change the plans again to make it even more successful!

I've noticed that clients often request last-minute design changes, even when we’re close to finalizing everything. In these situations, I’ve found it incredibly helpful to acknowledge the team’s frustration and challenges. A simple, “I know this isn’t easy, and it’s completely okay to feel disappointed,” can make a significant difference. By recognizing and validating their emotions, you help the team feel valued and understood, which can ease the stress and build resilience for the task ahead.

Make an alternate proposal to compare the pros and cons with each design option considering all factors required in the project.

It’s crucial that your team feels heard and supported. Make it clear that everyone can share their concerns, frustrations, or ideas without fear of judgment. -“I know we’ve hit some unexpected challenges, but I want you to know how much I believe in our ability to overcome them together. Your ideas and insights are incredibly valuable, so please don’t hold back. Let’s talk openly about what’s on your mind—whether it’s concerns, frustrations, or new ideas. Remember, we’re in this together, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s focus on how we can turn these challenges into opportunities to showcase our creativity and resilience.” In these moments, it’s essential to listen more than you speak.

Adaptability & flexibility is an important soft skill for any employee but more so for a designer as we have to think on the spot & make critical changes on site without a moments notice. Creating an environment where the design team embrace change and understand that it is part of the process is a valuable experience. Never be so attached to a design that you cannot change it.