A Long-Overdue Conversation

A design director discusses the upcoming team restructure with a senior designer in a Seattle office.

A Long-Overdue Conversation

Listen and choose the right answer

What structural change is happening to the design team next month?

• They are moving into product-aligned squads
• They are merging with the marketing department
• They are all moving to the London office

Why didn't Jennifer announce the reorg last week?

• She forgot about it
• The timing with the client launch was wrong
• Peter was on vacation in Austin

Who will manage designers' professional growth in the new structure?

• The client executives
• The chapter lead
• The human resources director

What is the funny twist at the end of the conversation?

• Peter is resigning from the company
• Jennifer actually wrote Peter's proposal
• Peter had proposed this exact structure two years ago

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Jennifer: Hi Peter, do you have a quick second to chat in my office about the upcoming ____ ?
• Peter: Sure, Jennifer. I was actually hoping we could talk about our ____ before Friday's town hall.
• Peter: I heard rumors that executives want to ____ us into product squads instead of one big pool.
• Jennifer: That's correct. We've decided to consolidate teams and become ____ starting next month.
• Jennifer: Exactly. We're also introducing a ____ with chapter leads to protect everyone's career impact.

Sources: photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Pexels