The Crazy One

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the powerful lessons that improvisational comedy can teach us about enhancing creativity, spontaneity, and collaboration in our work. Improv is a masterclass in teamwork and creativity, offering unique insights on how to create a more open, adaptable, and innovative team culture. Discover how improv techniques can unlock creative potential,...

In this popular replay from SXSW 2019, The Crazy One podcast features Stephen Gates’ sold-out keynote, “Building an In-House Design Powerhouse.” As companies increasingly recognize the value of creativity and design, few internal teams are truly empowered to leverage this demand. Drawing on his experience as InVision’s Head Design Evangelist, Stephen shares powerful strategies and actionable insig...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates delves into the six key cognitive biases that often create recurring challenges in the workplace, impacting team dynamics, client relationships, and even our own decision-making. Understanding these psychological biases can help you identify the root causes behind common frustrations and equip you with strategies to overcome them. Tune in...

In this essential episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the challenging world of office politics—a common workplace hurdle that can derail careers and block great work. Stephen dives into the emotional drivers behind office politics and shares 8 key habits to help you navigate them with grace, integrity, and resilience. Tune in to gain practical strategies for surviving and thriving in...

In this revealing episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates addresses the rising frustration and criticism around Design Thinking and Design Sprints—methods that have been transformative in his own career but are now facing pushback from many teams. Stephen explores the reasons behind this backlash, unpacks the common challenges people experience, and explains why, in many cases, these frustrations...

In this engaging episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates answers listener questions on essential career and team-building topics. Learn how to make the leap from design lead to design executive, create a dynamic and inspiring office environment, and understand where design authority should ideally sit within a company. Stephen also dives into strategies for managing team conflict and shares best...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates demystifies the overused yet elusive concept of innovation, breaking down why so many companies and teams fall short in making it a reality. Discover the common reasons innovation efforts fail, the essential traits of truly innovative teams, and actionable steps to foster a culture of real creativity and progress in your organization. Tune in to tra...

In this highly requested episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the top question he receives: how to transition from a marketing, branding, or advertising role into digital and product design. With limited resources available to guide this shift, Stephen breaks down the key differences and similarities between marketing and digital design, and what skills you need to successfully make th...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the essential role of emotional intelligence in leading creative teams effectively. Discover the five key components of emotional intelligence, how they interconnect, and the impact your emotions have on others. Stephen provides actionable insights for understanding and enhancing emotional intelligence, helping you create stronger team dy...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives deep into the hidden struggle many successful creatives face: design imposter syndrome. This phenomenon leaves talented professionals doubting their abilities, even with clear evidence of their success. Stephen explores why imposter syndrome is so common, breaks down the 5 distinct types of imposter syndrome, and shares actionable strategies t...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the key elements that form the foundation of a successful and fulfilling career. From mastering your craft to embracing originality, creating impact, finding joy, and more, Stephen reveals how to balance these essential ingredients to shape your work, define your career, and enhance your overall happiness. Tune in for actionable insights...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the essential art of giving effective feedback—a crucial skill for anyone in a creative, collaborative environment, whether leading a team or working within one. Discover the two main types of feedback, a proven model for delivering constructive input, and key principles to ensure your feedback inspires and elevates. Tune in to master the s...

In this inspiring episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the challenge of preserving originality in a world that often pushes for conformity. Learn what truly defines originality, and discover practical strategies to overcome self-doubt, resist groupthink, and navigate corporate cultures that can stifle unique thinking. Stephen provides a roadmap to help you embrace the traits that fuel...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles listener questions on key topics shaping today’s design world. Explore whether main navigation should simply guide users or reflect brand image, the role of “necessary evils” in design, and the impact of Design Systems in large enterprises. Stephen also shares insights on sparking change in small organizations and how travel fuels his creati...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the challenges of thriving in a global, remote work environment. As teams collaborate across different time zones and cultures, relying on outdated approaches can hinder success. Stephen breaks down the most common issues with remote work, debunks popular misconceptions, and shares the essential mindsets, tools, and behaviors you need to...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the delicate balance of integrating data and research into the creative process—a challenge that many creatives find frustrating. Discover how data, research, and brainstorming can become powerful allies when applied correctly, and learn the pitfalls that can stifle creativity if they’re misused. Stephen shares best practices to ensure that...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates answers listener questions on a variety of creative and career-focused topics. Get Stephen’s top recommendations for must-read books, essential advice for junior designers, tips on boosting productivity, insights into effective content creation, and his perspective on being a “jack of all trades.” Tune in for valuable guidance to elevate your skills...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the biggest obstacles that keep talented creatives from landing the careers they deserve. Discover essential insights into the hiring process, along with practical do’s and don’ts to help you stand out, build a stronger personal brand, and increase your chances of success in your next job search. Tune in to gain the tools and strategies...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates goes beyond the basics of Design Thinking to reveal how it can truly transform your team and company. Discover how Design Thinking empowers collaboration, brings everyone into the creative process, and serves as a powerful tool for evaluating leadership potential across your team and partners. Stephen shares insights on using Design Thinking to shif...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the tough decision of leaving a job. Discover the seven clear signs that indicate it’s time to move on, learn how to avoid common emotional traps when considering new opportunities, and get a step-by-step guide on how to leave professionally after giving your notice. Tune in to ensure you make a thoughtful, confident choice an...

In this important episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates opens up a necessary conversation about gender bias—its conscious and unconscious expressions, and why it’s a critical issue that needs addressing, especially by men. Stephen breaks down the nine types of bias, discusses why tackling gender bias is essential, and explores realistic outcomes for change. Tune in to gain practical insights on...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the frustration of meeting overload and why so many companies are trapped in a meeting-centric culture. Discover the reasons behind ineffective meetings, and learn four actionable strategies to reduce meeting time and make the sessions you do have more focused and productive. Tune in to reclaim your day, drive better results, and transfor...

In this essential episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates reveals the “missing manual” to help you turn insights from the podcast into real, impactful changes for you and your team. Listening and taking notes isn’t enough—learn the one key strategy you need to fully apply what you’ve learned, create lasting transformation, and drive progress in your work and team culture. Tune in to unlock the tr...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the essential balance leaders must strike between advocating for their beliefs and supporting their team without crossing into unproductive conflict. Learn how to stand up for what matters while maintaining constructive relationships, why strategic “fighting” is crucial for effective leadership, and how to make advocacy work for—not against...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates takes on one of the toughest emotions to master in both work and life: honesty. Discover the difference between honesty and candor, how to effectively apply them, and why they’re crucial to success in your career, personal life, and self-reflection. Tune in for a deep dive into building a culture of authenticity, practicing honest communication, and...