This Tech CEO’s Journey from Bad Management to $19 Billion Success

Dylan Field, the CEO of Figma, a $19.45 billion design tool company used by 95% of the Fortune 500, has an inspiring story of transformation. Before co-founding Figma in 2012, Field had no experience being a manager, but he has since learned to become an effective leader.

From Leadership to Management

Field’s journey began with a realization that being a good leader doesn’t necessarily mean being a good manager. He assumed that his leadership skills would automatically translate to management, but he soon discovered that management is its own separate skill set. Field described himself as “bad at all of it” at first, but he learned to be an effective manager over time.

The Importance of Learning

Field’s experience is similar to that of other founders, such as Dustin Moskovitz, who co-founded Facebook and Asana. Moskovitz learned to manage employees, despite being an introvert and not initially intending to take on the role. Field’s story highlights the importance of learning and adapting to new skills, especially for first-time managers.

Key Takeaways

Field listed the managerial basics, including knowing where his team was, running effective one-on-ones, building relationships, setting clear goals, and holding people accountable. He emphasized that these skills can be learned and become instinctual with practice.

Lessons from Experience

Field’s experience also taught him the importance of hiring the right people, such as Sho Kuwamoto, who started as Figma’s director of engineering in 2015. Kuwamoto helped Field learn managerial skills, and Field’s company has since grown to a 1,600-person workforce.

Conclusion

Dylan Field’s story is a testament to the power of learning and adaptation in leadership. His journey from being “bad at all of it” to building a $19 billion company is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and leaders everywhere.

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