Andy Polaine
The Importance of Project Closure
Jumping straight from one project to the next without closure is a fast track to burnout and missed learning. Project sunsets matter as much as kickoffs, and they don't take that long.
Most design leadership problems are not design problems.
They’re relationship problems. I coach design leaders and managers through career inflection points, crises of confidence, loss of mojo, difficult organisations, workplace politics, and the bigger questions of what you actually want from work and life. I draw upon thirty years in design, a PhD, Jungian analytical thinking, and a lot of hard-won mistakes.
Andy is quite simply one of the smartest people I know, and an extremely experienced design leader and teacher. He is also ego free and thus a joy to work with.
It has been such an honour to work with Andy and learn from his incredible experience, wisdom and thought-provoking questions. The coaching experience transformed how I work.
Andy is inspirational — always there with solid advice. A brilliant mind with a sharp wit and great sense of humour and the best mentor one could have.
Andy's coaching has been one of the best investments I have made in my career.
Andy's design leadership coaching was invaluable at a time when I was seeking the right counsel and advice in navigating transitions in my career.
It's been a truly rewarding experience. What stood out most was Andy's ability to blend practical frameworks with a human touch, as his tools gave me clarity I hadn't been able to achieve on my own.
I've worked with several coaches in the past, but Andy stands in a league of his own. His unique blend of design expertise and intuitive guidance transforms not just careers, but entire perspectives on creative leadership.
Having access to Andy’s expertise was a game-changer. His advice was actionable, and the resources he provided were always relevant to the specific challenges I faced. The coaching experience was transformative.
Working with Andy has been an incredibly rewarding experience—I cannot recommend it enough.
Andy is an outstanding design leadership coach. He helped me navigate specific challenges in the context of my current role and take a broader perspective on my career path and aspirations.
Andy created a structured yet a non-judgement space and gave me lots of useful tools to think through my career paths.
Latest Writing
Leadership Renewal Retreat 2026
A small, intimate retreat for senior design leaders in Bergamo, Italy. Time away from performance mode to reconnect with energy, clarity, and direction.
For Work Conflicts, Try Couples Therapy
Most work conflicts are emotional at their core, dressed up as process. EFT couples therapy, the pursuer-withdrawal cycle in particular, offers a different way in.