When searching for “how to be a better leader,” Google gives us over a billion results. So, obviously, people really want to be better leaders, but where do we start?
As strange as it may sound, bringing UX concepts into leadership could be the answer. After all, a great leader knows how to get results by creating the right experience for the team to thrive in. UX has a similar focus.
Understand Your Audience/Team
Great UX doesn’t come from developing a product or service based on what a business wants, but what the customer wants. For instance, a company may want a smartphone with a 8″ screen, but that’s not exactly what customers want.
In the end, it’s about fully understanding your audience. When bringing UX concepts to leadership, this means taking the time to understand your team. What are their strengths and weaknesses? Who works best together? What are their concerns?
The more you understand about your team and how they function together, the easier it is to be a more effective leader.
Listen To Users
A common part of UX design is listening to users. We can’t design the best possible end result without listening to our users. The same applies to leadership.
You may think you’re doing a great job, but are you? Ask for feedback. Listen to what your team members have to say.
Also, don’t try to do it all yourself. UX design is a team effort. From the design team to the users, everyone works together to create something amazing.
Your team has ideas too. Don’t just give them a task and walk away. Be a part of the team and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can get accomplished.
Adopt UX Basics
There are seven UX design basics according to Usability.gov. If you’re looking to implement UX concepts into leadership, you need these seven elements as part of your leadership style.
As UX designers, we may instinctively incorporate all of these into designs, but as leaders, we may not even think twice. To become a better leader, follow these core UX basics:
- Useful – Are you being a useful addition to the team?
- Usable – Are you easy to work with, do you ask for others input?
- Findable – Can people find you when they need to?
- Credible – Can you communicate the whys behind your decisions?
- Accessible – Are you approachable and considering others?
- Desirable – Do you make others feel comfortable working with you?
- Valuable – Can you make your team irreplaceable?
While those aren’t always easy traits to adopt, they will make you a much better leader.
Be Usable
Though it’s mentioned above, it’s worth talking about a little more. Often times, leaders go to extremes. They’re either so hard on employees that no one wants to work with them or they’re such a pushover that they can’t lead at all.
With both leadership styles, the leader has zero respect. The team doesn’t work well together at all. Either extreme spells disaster for the team, project and business.
So, instead, focus on being usable. Walk the line between pushover and drill sergeant. Have an air of authority, but still be willing to push up your sleeves and get to work with your team. Listen to ideas and oversee projects versus micro-managing.
Continue To Evolve
Bringing UX concepts into leadership helps to give us an important reminder – you have to keep growing and evolving. If UX designers continued to use the same techniques from 1990, do you really think mobile apps and websites today would be as user-friendly as they are? Not at all.
People change, which is why UX continues to change to meet those evolving needs. Leadership has to change too. What worked 5 years ago may not be nearly as effective today.
Leaders must be willing to continue tweaking their leadership style to be more effective for all demographics, especially since they’ll likely be leading all races, genders and ages.
Great leadership takes time to learn and master. Take a cue from UX design to create a leader that everyone wants to be around and who everyone looks up to as a role model.
Images: Mimi Thian and Icons8 Team