Are You Ready to Become a UX leader?

UX Insights - User Experience Leadership and Strategy

Understanding Where You Fit

If you're reading this, chances are you're passionate about user experience. But maybe UX isn't actually in your job title. Perhaps you're a marketer, project manager, developer, copywriter, or business analyst who deeply cares about making your products better for users. Or you might be a UX designer or researcher feeling stuck, constantly frustrated trying to advocate for UX in your organization.

The reality is that organizations exist at different levels of UX maturity. Some don't value UX at all, others merely pay lip service to it, and many have good intentions but lack a clear strategic direction. Regardless of your exact title or background, what unites us is our shared goal to see UX truly valued and elevated.

I've met countless individuals from diverse roles who desperately want to push UX forward, yet feel they're swimming against the current. If this sounds familiar, know you're not alone.

UX Leadership Isn't for Everyone (and That's Okay)

Let's be honest, UX leadership and strategy aren't for everyone. Many UX designers feel pressure to transition into leadership roles simply to advance their careers, only to find themselves bogged down by endless meetings, organizational politics, and little-to-no time spent on actual design.

The truth is, UX leadership isn't about spending more time in Figma or user testing sessions. It's about navigating internal politics, setting strategic directions, and managing upwards, not just downwards. It demands patience, persistence, and the ability to influence and collaborate across departments. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

That's not everyone's cup of tea—and that's perfectly fine. There are plenty of alternative paths for growth in UX, whether it's specializing in fintech UX, conversational UX, hybrid roles like UX and Design Ops, or even diving deeper into product-focused UX.

Why Choose UX Leadership?

But let's say you do feel drawn to leadership. Why step up into this challenging, yet rewarding role?

Firstly, you'll gain wider-reaching influence, shaping not just individual designs but your entire organization's approach to user experience. This broader impact can be deeply fulfilling, especially if you're driven by a genuine passion for user-centered design.

Secondly, stepping into UX leadership future-proofs your career in an era increasingly influenced by AI. While tactical design tasks might eventually be automated, strategic leadership and decision-making roles will remain secure for years to come.

A Special Note for Agency Owners and Freelancers

If you run an agency or work as a freelancer, you might be wondering how UX leadership applies to you. Whether you're currently focused on UI design, web development, or other services, there's a valuable opportunity to evolve into a more strategic advisory role with your clients.

By positioning yourself as a UX leader and strategic consultant, you can command higher rates and break free from the typical constraints of project-based work. Instead of simply executing clients' requests, you can help shape their organizational approach to user experience at a fundamental level.

This transition isn't easy—it requires building new relationships, developing different skills, and potentially stepping away from the hands-on work you love. But if you're willing to make this journey, it can transform your business. I know this firsthand, as it's the foundation upon which I built my own consultancy.

Myths About UX Leadership

There's a lot of misunderstanding about what UX leadership truly entails. Let's bust a few myths:

Myth #1: It's All About the User

Many assume UX leaders exist solely to champion the user's needs. While advocating for users is essential, your primary goal as a UX leader is to drive business value through improved user experiences. If it were only about users, we'd simply give products away for free. That would be great for users, not so great for business.

UX leadership connects user needs to clear business outcomes, like increased lifetime value, customer retention, and higher average order values.

Myth #2: UX Leadership is Mostly Team Management

Although managing your team matters, your core role involves managing upwards, setting strategic direction, influencing stakeholders, and advocating for user-centered change at an organizational level. Your focus should be strategic, not purely operational.

Myth #3: You Need a Fancy Title

You don't need the official title of UX Leader or Head of Design to lead effectively. Whether you're a developer, marketer, or business analyst, if you're advocating for better UX practices, influencing change, and shaping how your organization thinks about users, you're already acting as a UX leader.

Defining Your Role as a UX leader

So, what exactly does being a UX leader mean?

In my experience, it's about five key things:

• Advocating for Users: Keeping user needs at the forefront.
• Strategic Facilitation: Guiding and shaping UX vision across the organization.
• Acting as a Change Agent: Influencing and shifting organizational culture to prioritize UX.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working effectively with different teams, breaking down silos.
• Decision-Making Based on User Data: Making informed strategic choices driven by robust user research.

This is the essence of UX leadership—no matter your title or current role.

Next Steps

In the next email, we're going to redefine your role from what you're currently doing towards what you need to be doing to truly lead UX in your organization. Until then, consider where you fit on this spectrum—are you ready and willing to embrace this challenging but exciting journey?

Because if you are, your organization—and its users—will thank you for stepping up.