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Design Leaders: Jason Lazarz of KI

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"I think a lot of people are afraid to show vulnerability at work, but it’s the most human thing you can do," says Jason Lazarz

This article is part of an ongoing profile series spotlighting IIDA industry members.

Meet Jason Lazarz, A&D market lead at KI

What core values are most important to you as a leader, and how do you ensure they are embedded in the company culture?

The best leaders have high levels of emotional intelligence. They lead with kindness, empathy, and honesty. That’s how you get the best out of people. It’s also important to know your stuff. If you don’t know your craft forward and backward, it’s hard to have credibility and to build trust with your colleagues or clients.

In my role, I try to embody these traits and lead by example. I’m also transparent with what I know and what I don’t know, and I admit when I’m wrong. I think a lot of people are afraid to show vulnerability at work, but it’s the most human thing you can do.

Can you share a pivotal moment for you in your career?

I’m lucky that one of my most pivotal moments came at the start of my career. When I graduated college, I knew I had an interest in design, but I wasn’t trained or educated in it. It was hard to see where I would fit in. I took a job as an assistant in Michael Graves’ product design studio, and that opened my eyes to design and changed my worldview. It was a great role in that there weren’t high expectations for it, but I took it seriously and the more I did, the more I was trusted to do. That was 22 years ago. Since then, I’ve gone on to work with very smart and visionary people. I learned a lot along the way, but I also never lost my sense of curiosity for design.

Jason Lazarz headshot

What is the legacy you (or KI) hope to leave?

At KI, we work on a lot of school projects. It’s great fun, but it also feels like a big responsibility. We’re helping to create spaces where children spend their most formative years. If our furniture can help a student learn better, or even contribute to a positive childhood memory, we’ve achieved something great.

What big goal have you set for the next 3-5 years?

KI has been around for 84 years. For a lot of designers, the brand is synonymous with education spaces, but the truth is that we do a lot of things well. Across the board, our team is designing and introducing great new products for corporate workplace and healthcare spaces, in addition to education. My big goal is to change the perception that many designers have of KI so that they see our brand for all that it offers.

What’s one big inspiration — or passion — that you think everyone should know about (this can be another design professional, book, podcast, artist, hobby, ritual etc.)?

I spend a lot of time on airplanes, and podcasts are my go-to way to pass the time. Over the years, I’ve learned that I’m a sucker for motivational speakers. Lewis Howes’ "The School of Greatness" podcast is probably my favorite of the genre. There’s something about the way he engages with his guests that always feels authentic. In an increasingly polarized world, it’s nice to hear some positive dialogue and maybe pick up some life hacks along the way.

As KI’s A&D Market Leader, Jason Lazarz, Ind. IIDA provides key insights into the world of architecture and design. Before joining KI, he led marketing and business development efforts for top-tier architecture firms across New York City. His innate understanding of the design process and key industry trends helps him communicate KI’s values and services to a broad audience of architects, interior designers, and facility managers. Lazarz believes that good design has the power to create healthy and sustainable spaces that inspire, with furniture playing a significant role in crafting that sense of place. In addition to his role at KI, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of IIDA’s New York Chapter and is a supporter of Build Out Alliance, a national not-for-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the LGBTQ community within the building design and construction industry.

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