Summary & Key Takeaways ​

• Nielsen Norman Group identifies the true struggles designers face within product teams.
• These challenges are not primarily related to their core design skills.
• Instead, designers often struggle with achieving alignment across teams.
• They also face difficulties in exerting influence and navigating complex organizational structures.
• The article highlights that these crucial "soft skills" are often not taught in traditional design education.

This is such a vital point that often gets overlooked. We've all seen brilliant designers struggle not because of their craft, but because they haven't been equipped to navigate the political and organizational complexities of product development. The "work no one taught them to do" is often the most critical for success. This article is a must-read for both designers and product leaders, emphasizing the need for better training and support in areas like communication, negotiation, and strategic influence. It's about building bridges, not just beautiful interfaces.