Summary
Join panel moderator Maisee Xiong and Salesforce DesignOps practitioners for a conversation about what it means to build values-driven DesignOps programs, tools and relationships in order to cultivate belonging and prepare our global design teams to deliver their best work. Together we will: Discuss practical ways to weave values into our Ops work Consider what’s necessary to build community and culture for hybrid design teams Understand how effective onboarding tools can help new team members feel welcome Identify the design practices and tools that keep teams and leaders aligned
Key Insights
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Introducing physical traits in virtual meetings fosters inclusivity for visually impaired participants.
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Salesforce uses the V2MOM framework to align vision and values from executives to individual contributors.
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Connecting personal values with company and org values helps design ops teams prioritize their work effectively.
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Slack workflows for emotional check-ins and peer recognition increase connection and team care in remote environments.
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Low-effort, high-impact rituals like weekly shoutouts improve team morale and visibility of good work.
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Onboarding programs redesigned with new hire feedback create more welcoming and clear integration experiences.
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Consistent communication cadence with leadership keeps teams aligned and increases transparency.
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Values serve as anchors that guide decision-making and maintain trust during times of rapid organizational change.
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Leadership relationships anchored in shared values empower design ops to advocate effectively for their teams.
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Addressing misalignment with values starts with private conversations to understand perspectives before realignment.
Notable Quotes
"We introduce physical traits during virtual events to foster a more inclusive experience for audience members who might be sight impaired."
"The V2MOM stands for Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, and Measures – it helps align company and personal values."
"We use our values as guiding principles to prioritize design ops work — deciding what we say yes or no to."
"Slack workflows act like extended team members by automating check-ins and recognitions."
"Shout out Thursdays is a low effort, high impact ritual that truly lifts team spirit."
"Revamping onboarding with input from new hires made the experience feel like someone was holding their hand, even remotely."
"Consistent, clear communication with design leaders ensures the whole team receives timely and transparent updates."
"Values really are the place to go when everything feels ambiguous or ambiguous during change."
"The values you define as a team shape the support you give and guide decision making."
"If you find someone not following team values, start with a one-on-one and try to understand their perspective before redirecting."
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