World 05 — The Constellation · Teams & culture
Teams are the product.
Every number on this site came from a team. Here’s how I build them — and the people who grew into leaders along the way.
How I build teams
Four rules. No exceptions.
High-performing and highly engaged aren’t opposites. In my teams, one funds the other.
Hire for range.
Designers, researchers, engineers and writers who disagree well. Sameness is fast for a month and slow forever.
Outcomes over output.
We don’t count screens shipped. We count customers helped and dollars moved — and everyone can see the scoreboard.
Safety is a speed strategy.
People who aren’t afraid to be wrong in week one are the ones who are right in week ten.
Make leaders on purpose.
Clear career levels, real stretch assignments, and my job is to make myself less necessary every quarter.
The constellation
Hover a star. Meet a story.
Five people who grew on my teams, by role. Hover, tap or tab through to see where they started, where they are now, and how they got there.
The one that matters most
75%increase in team engagement, measured by survey, in the Vault.
Team metrics
The scoreboard for people.
These numbers cover my last three roles. Real people, real growth.
increase in team engagement (surveys)
hires
retention
promotions
people grown into leaders
design system adoption. It’s mandatory.
career path, in three steps
In their words
What it’s like on the team.
“Justin is an amazing interactive developer with a very positive attitude that makes working alongside him a real pleasure! He continues to WOW me with his creative energy and depth of expertise. Anyone who works with Justin will quickly appreciate his attention to detail and interpersonal skills. He is dedicated to delivering exceptional work and never fails. Justin is a true asset to our agency team.”
“Justin is one of the most talented folks I have ever met. His keen eye for design and strong technical skills make Justin an outstanding professional. Justin’s warm and friendly personality make him a pleasure to deal with in both business and personal settings. It would be my pleasure to work with Justin on any project in the future.”
“Justin is one of the most talented individuals I have ever worked with. His attention to detail and ability to visualize a concept is unsurpassed. Justin is a pleasure to work with on projects and makes getting projects completed enjoyable as well as fun.”