A Designer's Uncertain Path to Success


A Designer's Uncertain Path to Success

By Hannah Baker


Dear Reader,

Navigating uncertainty is where great designers live.

We have loads of data, insights, and experience to work with while trying to figure out the right solution to make our company all the money in the world and skyrocket our careers.

Aren't those our only goals these days πŸ™ƒ?

We have pressure from our CEOs, managers, COUGH, and ourselves to get everything right.

The anxiety of uncertainty is palpable, pushing us to strive for perfection.

However, the journey towards not just surviving but thriving in this ambiguous space is where true innovation happens. It involves asking probing questions, exploring the unknown, and realizing that solutions are often nuanced and varied.

Deciphering the right path is complex, but as we grow more comfortable in uncertainty, we gain the confidence to adapt and alter course when necessary.

Great leaders exemplify this traitβ€”they don't hastily provide answers.

​

Instead, they take the time to listen, question, and gather information, making informed decisions.

Yet, the significance of comfort with uncertainty goes beyond informed decision-making. It showcases to our teams and peers that we are adept at handling the unknown, demonstrating fearlessness in the face of ambiguity.

Comfort in the unknown also breeds detachmentβ€”a vital quality that fosters flexibility and swift adaptation to ever-changing landscapes. It allows us to be role models during turbulent times, maintaining composure and serving as a pillar of strength for our teams.

However, embracing the unknown doesn't imply stagnation.

It's about remaining unfazed and actively seeking more information. This mindset cultivates a continuous learning culture that benefits both individuals and teams.

Imagine a brainstorming session where innovation is the lifeline in a competitive market. A leader comfortable with ambiguity encourages the team to venture into uncharted territories, creating an environment where novel concepts are tested without the fear of failure.

The acceptance of ambiguity sparks groundbreaking ideas, catalyzing creativity.

Leaders comfortable with ambiguity instill a culture of autonomy and self-efficacy, unlocking team potential for agility and inventive solutions.

Let's embrace the unknown, for the keys to innovation, resilience, and a flourishing career lie within its depths.

Ready to grow not just as a designer but as a leader?

Then check out the masterclass below for valuable insights and actionable strategies on embracing uncertainty and other leadership skills. Let's embark on this journey together.

​

​


COURSE: Defining UX Strategy
​
Learn to design a winning strategy that aligns design with business.
​Next cohort: Feb. 16-Mar. 30, 2026​
​
Buy a Seat​
​Only 6 regular seats left!


COURSE: Facilitating Workshops
​
Learn to turn meetings into momentum and clear decisions.​
​
Next cohort: March 23–April 30, 2026​
​
Buy a Seat​
​Only 1 coaching seat left!

​

​

​

​

​

Until next week!

Hannah Baker
​
Facilitator & Co-Founder
​
The Fountain Institute

​

​

The Fountain Institute

The Fountain Institute is an independent online school that teaches advanced UX & product skills.

Read more from The Fountain Institute
A collage-style image showing two identical women in long dresses near a revolving door, one entering and one stepping away, with abstract starburst shapes behind them.

Why Decisions Feel So Hard Right Nows By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, Over the last few months, I’ve been talking with design and product leaders across very different organizations, large companies, smaller teams, fast-moving environments, and slower ones. And I keep hearing the same thing. Their teams are being asked to make decisions faster than ever, and yet, deciding feels heavier than it used to. Not slower, exactly. Just harder. At first, people often explain this in familiar ways: too...

IBM Watson AI Failure

When Speed Stops Being the Bottleneck by Jeff Humble Dear Reader, Quick question: What happens when the thing that used to take 12 weeks now takes 4 days? I've been watching this play out across the industry, and it's wild. Lots of companies aren't sharing their new speeds, but a few are: Code and Theory (an agency that works with Microsoft and Amazon) is building dashboards in 40 minutes that used to take a week. They report cutting time-to-prototype by 75%. Coinbase reports a 2-5x increase...

Missed a few newsletters last year? Start here. By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, Before we jump into new ideas for the year ahead, we wanted to pause for a moment. If your inbox was anything like ours last year, there’s a good chance you missed a few newsletters. So instead of sending another new idea right away, we put together a curated catch-up, a handful of pieces from 2025 that capture the questions we kept returning to. If you only read a few things from us last year, these are a good place...