How a design leader was inspired to build a team with unstoppable potential

“For me, I always saw design as being very logic driven. Predominantly, one of the basic principles of a good design is that it must communicate something. And I wanted to help the firm by effectively communicating ideas in a more efficient way through design,” Navidita said.

She explained that she always felt as though the leaders at Everest Group understood the value of design and what it can do. And she was given the freedom to push the envelope and be creative. Working with the subject matter experts has been a positive experience as well. “Both teams value what each can provide to the final product,” she said. “It’s not about making a design look pretty, it’s about making something, both from a content and a visual communication perspective, that packages our insights and data in a way that delivers the best viewer experience.”

Navidita describes her role at Everest Group in the beginning as very fluid, with opportunities to grow and change when needed. “We kind of started from scratch when I began, so it’s like we got the chance to add new components every year as we grew,” she said. She describes how the overall intentions of her design role have stayed the same, but the scope keeps evolving and remains malleable throughout the years to incorporate new adaptations.

Currently, she manages a team of designers who are creating everything from webinar presentations and reports to videos and ads for the firm.

“There really are so many opportunities to grow and learn at Everest Group,” she expressed. She explained that one of the benefits of working on the design team is the range of products and departments in which they get to work and the upskilling that transpires in the process. New projects may require training in new software or platforms, and that is always available when needed.

“The team is always excited to try out new skills and implement them,” she said. “In one instance, a designer began exploring new UI and UX design software and was able to bring a few new, professional aspects to our presentations,” Navidita explained. Rather than striving to stay the same, she explains that the team is encouraged to think outside of the box and stretch their abilities.

Confidence and trust from leadership

Navidita is also grateful that she has the confidence and trust of leadership to develop and grow her team in the manner that she thinks is best suited for the talents of the individual designers. “This is not a chance that every team leader gets, and I am personally genuinely grateful for that,” she said.

And the hard work and skills don’t go unnoticed at Everest Group. “We often get notes offering kind feedback, and we get callouts that our work is valued and appreciated,” she said. She also mentioned that leadership will often write directly to a designer without routing it through a manager. “Hierarchy doesn’t come up often here, which gives team members such a strong sense of belonging and provides motivation,” she explains.

Looking back five years at where the team started and where they are today feels like a personal accomplishment for Navidita. And much of the growth she contributes to good leadership. “We couldn’t have come this far without our senior leaders standing behind us, acknowledging our value, and allowing us to grow and push our limits,” she said.