Embracing the mess at Config 2021 | Figma Blog
Config 2021 emphasized that product development is inherently messy, and setbacks, conflicts, and failures can ultimately improve teams and products. The central recommendation is to treat difficult moments as learning opportunities: step back from failed work, communicate openly, and intentionally preserve what can be learned. ## Learning from Setbacks Shanique Shields of Shopify described discovering that a feature she had worked on for 18 months would be rolled back. Initially, she felt personally responsible, but taking a break helped her recognize the experience’s value. - **Don’t personalize feedback:** Stakeholders may simply have different perspectives or priorities; criticism is not necessarily a judgment of the designer or the work’s quality. - **Document the process:** Preserve design decisions, Figma comments, and personal notes, even when work does not ship. These records help future projects and allow others to learn. - **Be intentional about growth:** Identify the skills, business knowledge, or cross-functional experience gained from each project. - **Start the next project positively:** Use a new workstream as a fresh start and rally the team around a shared goal. ## Addressing Conflict Through Openness Frank Bach of Headspace argued that even strong teams experience communication breakdowns. The best response is to address friction directly rather than allowing problems to grow. - Be transparent about concerns and listen carefully to the other person’s perspective. - Approach difficult conversations candidly and objectively. - Ignoring conflict prevents teams from making progress. - Practice gratitude by recognizing the value of design work, teammates, and collaborative opportunities. The article’s practical message is to embrace the difficult parts of product work. Teams become more resilient when they reflect on failure, communicate courageously, and carry lessons from messy experiences into future projects.
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