Summary
What is the role of care in user research? Why is care the greatest superpower of user research research—not only in what we do but how we lead? In this talk, Etienne discusses the importance of inclusive leadership and shares lessons on leading through care. This session will help researchers leverage their research strengths for leadership as individual contributors, team leads, and people managers alike.
Key Insights
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Care is the unique superpower of user researchers that can transform leadership into humanity-centered leadership.
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Inclusive research requires intentionally engaging underrepresented and marginalized user groups, not just dominant users.
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Authentic leadership arises from being genuine, self-aware, transparent, and sharing real stories from ethnographic research.
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Leadership is about making others better in a way that lasts beyond your presence, as Frances Frey defines.
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Human-centered research skills can be leveraged beyond research to build collaborative and caring team cultures.
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Remote work challenges connection, but low-bar sharing rituals like pet chakucha events help create authentic bonds.
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Self-care is an ethical imperative for researchers and leaders to avoid compassion fatigue and burnout.
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Building small acts of trust through everyday micro-interactions contributes to stronger, more inclusive teams.
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Leadership is not defined by title or seniority but by actions that connect, empower, and make a positive culture.
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Inclusive leadership involves making room for different voices and embracing discomfort to grow beyond one’s bias.
Notable Quotes
"Care is defined as the process of protecting someone or something and providing what that person or thing needs."
"Leadership is about making other people better as a result of your presence in a way that lasts into our absence."
"Daring leaders must care for and be connected to the people they lead."
"We lead ourselves, our peers, our stakeholders; leadership is not about title or level."
"Inclusive research should be the norm on every project, not a feel-good bonus activity."
"Caring personally isn't about memorizing birthdays or throwing parties; it's about real conversations and knowing what motivates each other."
"Self-care is an ethical imperative in UX; your well-being impacts your professional responsibilities."
"A culture of care is built on small acts of trust, like checking in about someone's weekend or helping with personal challenges."
"Authentic leadership can be characterized as genuine, self-aware, and transparent."
"Creating time and space for care in research and leadership is an act of humanity-centered leadership."
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