The Power of Sketching for Design Leaders

When was the last time you picked up a pencil and sketched something? Not for work, not for a project - just for the sake of putting pen or pencil to paper and observing the world around you.

Sketching isn’t just for artists or designers; it’s an incredible tool for anyone, especially design leaders. It doesn’t matter if you’re any good at it. In fact, the beauty of sketching lies in the act itself, not the outcome. As a design leader, incorporating sketching into your routine can unlock a surprising number of benefits for your clarity, focus, and leadership skills.

You Don’t Have to Be Good at It

Let’s get this out of the way: your sketches don’t need to be “good”. This isn’t about creating masterpieces or impressing anyone. It’s about the process of observing, simplifying, and translating what you see into something tangible.

By letting go of the need to be perfect, you embrace creativity in its rawest form. This practice can be a powerful reminder that progress and effort matter more than perfection - something every leader should internalise and model for their teams.

Seeing the World in Fine Detail

When you sketch, you’re forced to slow down and truly look. Sketching an object, landscape, or even an animal demands your attention to detail. The curve of a leaf, the way light falls on a surface, the texture of fur - these aren’t things you’d notice with a quick glance.

For leaders, this practice of deep observation is invaluable. It teaches you to pause, take a closer look, and see beyond the obvious. Whether it’s understanding a complex team dynamic or identifying the real problem behind a client’s request, the ability to notice subtle details can set you apart.

Sketching sharpens your awareness, helping you approach situations with greater clarity and precision.

A Calming Force in Times of Stress

There’s something meditative about sketching. The repetitive, physical motion of pen or pencil on paper, the focus on capturing a shape or texture, and the quiet concentration it requires can help quiet a busy mind.

As a leader, stress is inevitable. Deadlines loom, conflicts arise, and the weight of responsibility can feel overwhelming. Taking even five minutes to sketch can act as a reset button, grounding you in the moment and providing a break from the chaos.

This isn’t just a feel-good practice - reducing stress through sketching can improve your decision-making, help you communicate more calmly, and keep you from reacting impulsively in high-pressure situations.

Sketching as a Tool for Communication

Sketching isn’t just a solo activity - it’s also a powerful way to communicate ideas. Quick sketches during a meeting can help explain a concept more effectively than words alone. Whether it’s a scamp, mock-up, flowchart, a quick wireframe, or a metaphorical representation of a challenge, visual communication can clarify complex ideas and foster alignment.

The act of sketching in front of others also shows vulnerability and encourages collaboration. It demonstrates that you’re willing to get hands-on and explore ideas openly, which can inspire your team to do the same.

Building Creative Confidence

Leaders often find themselves in situations where they need to ideate, iterate, and present bold solutions. Sketching helps build creative confidence because it reminds you that generating ideas is about exploration, not perfection.

By sketching regularly, you cultivate a mindset of curiosity and experimentation. This mindset can ripple into other areas of your work, encouraging you to take risks, embrace failure as part of the process, and lead your team with an open, creative spirit.

Getting Started with Sketching

If you’re new to sketching or haven’t done it in years, here’s how to begin:

• Keep it Simple: Start with basic tools - a pencil and paper. No fancy equipment required.
• Pick a Subject: Choose something nearby - a coffee cup, a plant, your pet.
• Focus on Observation: Don’t worry about making it perfect. Just draw what you see.
• Make it Routine: Set aside 5 to 10 minutes a day for sketching. It’s about the habit, not the result.
• Be Playful: Experiment with different subjects or techniques. The goal is to enjoy the process.

A Leader’s Superpower

Sketching is more than just a creative exercise - it’s a way to train your mind, calm your stress, and connect with your surroundings. As a design leader, it’s a tool that can help you understand your team and clients more deeply, make better decisions, and model the creative curiosity you want to see in others.

Elevate Your Leadership

This is just one of many tools I teach in my Supercharged Creative Leaders program. In just 8 hours, this program helps elevate leaders to world-class levels with practical frameworks, actionable advice, and solutions to over 120 daily challenges design leaders face.

For full details and to book your place, visit growwithadamjennings.com.

What do you think? Have you found sketching helpful in your own work or leadership? I’d love to hear your thoughts - share in the comments or reply to this post!