The myth of the well-functioning design team

A talk by Inayaili León, Director, Design Operations at GitHub

As design leaders, we’re often drawn to the idea of the 'perfect' design team: streamlined processes, flawless collaboration, seamless design systems, and an endlessly productive creative flow. But here’s the truth: perfection doesn’t exist, and aiming for it can actually hinder your team’s growth.

In this talk, Inayaili willll unpack the myth of the well-functioning design team and explore how even the most successful companies face dysfunction behind the scenes. From misaligned priorities to gaps in communication, the truth is that all design teams—no matter how established—are works in progress.

You’ll learn how to embrace imperfection as part of the process and, more importantly, how DesignOps can help you identify the real problems that need attention. Rather than chasing unattainable perfection, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies for building a resilient, high-performing design team that thrives in the face of constant change. Together, we'll redefine what success looks like for your team and show you how to spot the true fires that need putting out—before they burn you out.

Inayaili León

Director, Design Operations at GitHub

Inayaili Leon is Director of Design Operations at GitHub. She combines her hands-on design background with her passion for creating clear processes that enable design teams to successfully deliver on their most critical priorities. She began her career as a designer, giving her firsthand experience of the challenges practitioners face. This perspective now helps her build better ways for teams to work together, and create consistent, high-quality designs.

When she's not leading design operations initiatives, Inayaili shares her knowledge through articles in industry publications and on her blog. She regularly speaks at international conferences about improving how design teams work and building effective design systems. She’s Panamanian Portuguese, lives in London, and loves tea and podcasts.