Perhaps there is more nuance to this topic, but i'd like to be naive for the length of this article.

I have come to realize that designers are being fit into a mold. One that rewards the lack of innovation and the abundance of conformity. They are all building and designing the same patterns, but are scared to go beyond that.

They are no longer authentic, and no longer voice their concerns. Throughout my career, the designers I have looked up to the most were ones who embraced their personal philosophies and carried them over to their craft.

That's not to say the intricacies of the regular product development lifecycle should be ignored, but perhaps authenticity stems from strong leadership that not just voice their concern, but act on it. That authenticity is what I believe is needed to continue innovating and solve challenging problems.