Happy Saturday, UX colleagues!
It’s Marina Krutchinsky. Welcome (or welcome back 😄) to my weekly UX Mentor Diaries newsletter, a resource for real-world UX strategies for career advancement tailored for the evolving UXers, product designers and new design leaders.
In a world full of tips and tricks to get more done and come up with new ideas, leaders, especially those in charge of UX teams, can sometimes forget what really keeps a team going: value!
Seeing and using what each person values makes the whole team stronger.
Inspired by Adam Grant's way of thinking about how teams work, let's look at some unique ways to boost your UX team by focusing on the "value" aspect.
1. Draw them in with clear purpose
Imagine a Monday morning sprint planning.
Jane, an integral part of your UX team, is going through the latest user feedback from the previous iteration.
Everyone's prepping for the next feature roll-out.
Traditional Manager: “Jane, for this sprint, I need you to redesign the onboarding flow. Users seem to be dropping off. Stick to our usual brand guidelines, and let's discuss the next iteration on Wednesday.”
Jane: Nods "Sure, I'll start on those wireframes."
Revamped Approach: "Jane, the onboarding flow seems to be our Achilles’ heel right now. I've seen how you've simplified some of user flows in your past projects. For this sprint, rather than just a redesign, I’d love for you to reimagine the entire onboarding experience. How can we make it not just functional, but unforgettable for our users? Feel free to experiment beyond our usual guidelines if you think it will make a difference. Can we brainstorm some initial ideas on Wednesday?"
Jane: (eyes lighting up) “That’s a challenge I'm excited about! I've already got a couple of ideas brewing.”
The undeniable utility here is a role where every team member feels they're making a tangible difference.
2. Connect by addressing their aspirations
No more job descriptions → It’s time for growth trajectories
Instead of: "This role requires 3 years of experience with user research."
Ask: "Where do you see your UX career in 3 years? How can we help you get there?"
When we cater to our team's real needs and aspirations, they see their growth intertwined with the company's.
3. Retain them with consistent opportunities
Keep the challenges coming
Ella: "I've mastered this task. What’s next?"
Team Lead: "Great! Let’s see how we can push the boundaries further. How about spearheading the next project or leading a workshop?"
Encourage a culture where stagnation is a myth, and there’s always something to look forward to.
4. Win hearts with thoughtful interactions
Replace routine with rituals
Monday Blues? How about a “Motivation Monday” where team members share inspiring design stories?
Weekly updates? What if it’s an “Unconference” style sharing session where everyone gets a voice?
It's the small things that can transform mundane routines into memorable interactions.
5. Build loyalty by always learning & evolving
The team that learns together, grows together
Alex: "Hey, I found this unconventional UX method. Can we try it?"
Manager: "Absolutely! Let's pilot it on a small project and see its impact."
A culture that values evolution and learning keeps everyone on their toes, fostering loyalty.
From conventional to valuable
Too often, UX teams get caught in the loop of ticking checkboxes.
"Did we do user testing? Check. A/B testing? Check."
But the “value” pillar pushes us to think beyond.
Instead of getting stuck on "how it works", we start focusing on "why it matters".
Why does a particular UX process matter?
How does it enrich our team and the users?
What values are we championing?
The ultimate goal?
To build a team culture and process that's not just efficient, but "ethically addictive".
One where team members are not just working but are intrinsically motivated and connected to a shared ethos.
Shifting gears: it’s about genuine value
It’s tempting to introduce trendy tools or fancy jargon, but the real work happens when we put our team and their genuine needs at the forefront.
Drop the gimmicks: No more buzzword-filled meetings or flashy but empty team-building exercises.
Embrace authenticity: Get to know your team, understand their aspirations, challenges, and how they envision their growth.
An “ethically addicted” team isn’t about long hours or obsession.
It's about a deep-rooted dedication and genuine connection to the team's purpose and ethos.
And that, my fellow UX leaders, is the mark of a truly great team culture!
—Marina
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