Since the advent of the Internet, the world of UX has grown exponentially. Application and adoption of UX has, in kind, broadened dramatically, but there is still one major shortage — UX LEADERSHIP. As a result of this deficit, the field is being misdefined and occupied by unqualified people, threatening its growth, understanding, and well-being. This presentation will address the need for leaders and share ways to mature into a leader.

1. `
The Call for
UX LEADERSHIP
Darren Hood

2. My Professional Footprint

3. What is leadership?

4. • Exercising authority over other people or groups
• Guiding or directing a group
• Operating with authority
• Influencing others
• Setting the pace or tempo for others to follow
Definitions

5. Why is leadership important?

6. • Sets examples
• Helps us to learn from those who’ve preceded us and grow
• Facilitates efficiency in our operation
• Keeps us from spinning our wheels
• Delivers us from dangers and pitfalls
Leadership is critical because it…

7. WHY IS LEADERSHIP IMPORTANT…
For the UX Professional???

8. We left the
back door open
Site maps, sketches, content inventories,
use cases, user stories, wireframes,
prototypes, journey maps, task flows,
remote user testing, ethnography, and
other deliverables are a necessity and a
good start…. but they’re not enough.

9. A History Lesson

10. Risks of not providing
The problems and issues that
result from not providing
leadership in UX spaces
Ways to provide
How you can function as a
leader in your role, company,
and/or peer group(s)
Ways to develop
How to evolve and ascend to
(or maintain) operation as a
leader in the world of UX
10
RISK FACTORS
12
METHODS
8
PATHS
Presentation Landscape
10

11. RISKSOF NOT PROVIDING
LEADERSHIP

12. A failure to positively
impact stakeholders and
management
≥
≥
≤
1
10 Risks of Not Providing

13. Missed opportunities to
drive adoption
≥
≥
≤
2
10 Risks of Not Providing

14. Fosters (or furthers)
misunderstanding of UX
and its value
≥
≥
≤
3
10 Risks of Not Providing

15. Indirectly drives people
from the core of UX’s
purpose and benefit
≥
≥
≤
4
10 Risks of Not Providing

16. Opens the door for poseurs
(deludes people into
thinking anyone can operate
as a UXer)
≥
≥
≤
5
10 Risks of Not Providing

17. Detrimentally impacts an
organization’s UX maturity
level
≥
≥
≤
6
10 Risks of Not Providing

18. Can shorten or abort UX’s
shelf life in one’s company
≥
≥
≤
7
10 Risks of Not Providing

19. Leads to deployment of
flawed products, services,
and solutions
≥
≥
≤
8
10 Risks of Not Providing

20. Causes stakeholders and
executives to view UX
engagement as an option or
a luxury
≥
≥
≤
9
10 Risks of Not Providing

21. Detracts from CX and BX
≥
≥
≤
10
10 Risks of Not Providing

22. WAYSTO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP

23. Accurately define UX
≥
≥
≤
1
12 Ways to Provide

24. Evangelize about UX
≥
≥
≤
2
12 Ways to Provide

25. Validate all
recommendations
≥
≥
≤
3
12 Ways to Provide

26. Strive to be ahead of the
curve regarding
technologies and trends
≥
≥
≤
4
12 Ways to Provide

27. Stress partnership with
stakeholders
≥
≥
≤
5
12 Ways to Provide

28. Showcase UX’s value
≥
≥
≤
6
12 Ways to Provide

29. Be committed to earning
trust
≥
≥
≤
7
12 Ways to Provide

30. Support growth of up and
coming peers
≥
≥
≤
8
12 Ways to Provide

31. Spark institutionalization by
spreading “infectious”
design thinking
≥
≥
≤
9
12 Ways to Provide

32. Embrace constructive
passiveness (i.e., excel at
picking your battles)
≥
≥
≤
10
12 Ways to Provide

33. Demonstrate an
intrepreneurial mindset
≥
≥
≤
11
12 Ways to Provide

34. Eliminate personal bias
≥
≥
≤
12
12 Ways to Provide

35. WAYSTO DEVELOP

36. Sharpen your collaborative
saw
≥
≥
≤
1
8 Ways to Develop

37. Seek out opportunities to
be criticized (and learn to
shine in your responses)
≥
≥
≤
2
8 Ways to Develop

38. Grow your non-UX IQ (i.e.,
knowledge of your
company’s culture)
≥
≥
≤
3
8 Ways to Develop

39. Take advantage of all
company-oriented training
(helps to learn about the
company’s operation and
business processes)
≥
≥
≤
4
8 Ways to Develop

40. Learn to speak “exec”
≥
≥
≤
5
8 Ways to Develop

41. Continuously develop your
emotional intelligence (e.g.,
introspection, discipline,
empathy, communication,
relationship management,
resilience, civility, etc.)
≥
≥
≤
6
8 Ways to Develop

42. Emotional Intelligence Timeout :-)

43. Be dedicated to esteeming
the value of others
≥
≥
≤
7
8 Ways to Develop

44. Build and maintain a strong
and viable PLN (personal
learning network)
≥
≥
≤
8
8 Ways to Develop

45. LET’S PUT A FORK IN IT

46. The UX
landscape
needs
navigation

47. Contrary to popular belief…..
A UXer IS a
leader.

48. Don’t just be “on the team”…..
Aspire to be
such a leader.

49. Thank you! :-)
Let’s connect!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwhood
@darrenhood @dhoodkent @emergeux