The document discusses the importance of sharing personal experiences and struggles in user research, highlighting the human connection that storytelling fosters. It emphasizes that vulnerability is a crucial aspect of this process, allowing for deeper insights and authentic interactions. The text also presents various strategies for conducting effective interviews in user research.

1. 1
Doorbells, Danger,
and Dead Batteries
User Research War Stories
Steve Portigal
@steveportigal

2. 2
It’s All Going To Burn

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Sameer Chavan
Connecting Through War Stories

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Click to edit Master title style“We’re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and
perfectionism, there’s a surprisingly simple reason we
want to own, integrate, and share our stories of
struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive
when we’re connecting with others and being brave
with our stories.” Brené Brown, Rising Strong

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www.portigal.com/
category/series/
warstories

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Click to edit Master title styleDoorbells, Danger, and Dead Batteries
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/user-research-war-stories/
Interviews with in-house user research leaders
portigal.com/podcast/
Interviewing Users
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/interviewing-users/

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Survivorship Bias

8. 8
Cracking
the
Code

9. 9
Footloose
David Hoard
"Typical Japanese Entryway" (CC BY
2.0) by Debs (ò‿ó)♪

10. 10
Prepare for the experience of the interview
Consider your assumption about the
environment
Be present in your surroundings
Include the rich data from the environment
Learn from your mistakes

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Control is an Illusion

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Click to edit Master title styleThey Call Me Mister
Elaine Fukuda
touchtons.wordpress.com

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It's okay to walk away
Call a timeout
Use the breaks you are given
The unexpected can reveal new truths
Improvise

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Judging and Learning

15. Portigal
To Research Is
To Be Human

16. Portigal
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the
courage to show up and be seen when we have no
control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness;
it’s our greatest measure of courage.”
Brené Brown, Rising Strong

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Thank you!
@steveportigal
www.portigal.com