Hey Reader

We’re covering a lot of ground this week — from building trust with stakeholders to partnering better with your PM. Plus, I’m sharing a few design gems you won’t want to miss (hello, Research Week and new AI tools 👀).

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In today’s email:

• What to do when career feedback doesn’t sit right
• A live event on building trust with stakeholders & getting buy-in
• My favorite new tool for vectorizing your visuals

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​ 🎥 Watch today's 15min YouTube video to learn how to embrace working with your project manager and work through practical tips and tools to establish a successful partnership.

Design gems of the week

• ​Research Week in San Francisco | June 2-6: This first-of-its-kind learning event features five days of in-person or online learning, curated by leading design researchers. Hear from industry voices shaping the future at Airbnb, Meta, Okta, and more.
• ​Dovetail’s AI Updates — What You Need to Know: If you’re into streamlining your processes, this one might be for you. With Dovetail’s recent AI integrations, you can summarize insights, chat with your data, and get answers instantly, wherever you work. Checkout my latest posts for more info on Dovetails latest AI upgrades.
• ​Convert PNGs to SVGs in Seconds (For FREE): New tool alert! Vectorizer by SuperSaas lets you turn PNG files into crisp, scalable SVGs in just a few clicks. Perfect for creators using AI tools like ChatGPT to generate original visuals.
• ​Config 2025 Recap: Maturing Your Teams & Leadership: Didn’t make it to Config this year? This video offers a peak inside a panel at last week’s Figma Conference. Hear from industry leaders on their career growth and how they think about maturing teams and companies.
• ​NEW: Material Design 3 (Thanks Google): Material Design 3 (M3) is Google's latest open-source design system, providing comprehensive guidelines, styles, and components to create user-friendly interfaces. Plus, it's free to access!

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A MESSAGE FROM FRAMER Framer is simple to learn, and easy to master. Check out the Framer Fundamentals Course to build on your existing design skills to help you quickly go live in Framer. Perfect for designers transitioning from Figma or Sketch. ​Get 25% off for 3 months with code FEMKE25​

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What to do when you get career growth feedback you disagree with

Ever had that sinking feeling when a manager or mentor gives you feedback that just doesn't sit right? Maybe they suggested your communication skills need work, but you've always prided yourself on being clear and direct. Or perhaps they mentioned your designs lack user focus, when you've been obsessing over user needs all along.

Getting feedback you disagree with can be frustrating, confusing, and even a bit hurtful. But how you respond to it might be more important for your career growth than the feedback itself.

Step 1: Take a breath (seriously)

When we hear criticism we don't agree with, our first reaction is often defensive. That's normal! Our brains are wired to protect our self-image. But reacting emotionally in the moment rarely helps. Try to:

• Wait at least 24 hours before responding if possible
• Write down your thoughts privately to process them
• Talk it through with a trusted friend outside your workplace

Step 2: Take time to reflect

Look for the kernel of truth. Even feedback that feels off-base usually contains something valuable. Try asking yourself:

• Is there a small part of this feedback that rings true?
• Might there be a perception issue I'm not seeing?
• Could this feedback be poorly worded but pointing to a real opportunity?

For example, if someone says your designs aren't user-friendly, they might really mean your presentation of user research isn't convincing enough – even if your actual process is solid.

Step 3: Seek more context and specifics

Vague feedback is rarely helpful. If someone says "your designs lack polish," what exactly do they mean? More shadows? Better typography? Different color choices?

• Ask for specific examples: "Could you point to a specific instance where this showed up?"
• Request clarity: "When you say I need to be more strategic, what would that look like in practice?"
• Seek alternative perspectives: "Have you noticed others with similar strengths handle this differently?"

Step 4: Consider the source and their perspective

All feedback comes through the lens of the person giving it. Their background, preferences, and even their mood that day color what they notice and how they express it.

• A manager from engineering might focus more on functionality than visual design
• Someone who presents formally might see your casual style as unprofessional (even if it works perfectly for your team)
• A person who doesn't see all your work might be missing important context

Step 5: Decide what action makes sense for YOU

After reflection, you have options:

• Experiment with the feedback, even if skeptical – you might learn something
• Respectfully explain your perspective and reasoning
• Adjust how you communicate your work rather than changing the work itself
• Simply acknowledge the feedback and move on if it truly doesn't apply

Remember: You don't have to implement every piece of feedback you receive. Part of growing professionally is developing the judgment to know which advice serves your growth and which doesn't align with your path.

Growth happens in the spaces where we're challenged. Sometimes the feedback we initially resist leads to our biggest breakthroughs – not because the feedback was perfect, but because it pushed us to reflect deeply on our work and choices.

What's your experience with tough feedback? Have you ever received criticism that initially stung but eventually helped you grow?

Have a topic you'd like me to write about? Reply to this email and let me know! I read every reply.