Claiming your power: Practical tools for amplifying your unique voice
This video is featured in the PDI 2026 playlist.
Summary
Key Insights
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Soft power in UX and product roles comes from framing agendas, building relationships, and influencing decisions rather than formal authority.
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Identity tied too narrowly to research or design roles can limit opportunities; focusing on value and outcomes broadens impact.
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Craft is table stakes; domain expertise and business alignment are the real levers of influence and power.
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Jess’s partner Dana encouraged her to change how she moved, leading to a major career shift and founding an AI enterprise platform.
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Stakeholders often misinterpret roles and underestimate contributions until someone clearly communicates their value.
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Product management is splitting between delivery and discovery; PMs face a skills mismatch as AI changes expectations.
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Collapsing talent stacks creates competitive advantage by reducing friction and increasing role overlap among team members.
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Building strong partnerships and understanding executive decision rhythms significantly increase trust and influence.
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Navigating organizational politics, including conflict and territorial behaviors, is a key part of gaining power.
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Practicing curiosity, storytelling, visibility, and relationship-building are critical growth areas beyond technical craft for UX professionals.
Notable Quotes
"Power is a weird word. It's hard to relate to, and we aren't usually put in that position in our work."
"If I had waited for someone else to give me permission, I'd still be waiting. We'd all be waiting."
"People make assumptions about what we can achieve through no fault of our own."
"Craft isn't gonna help you feel more fulfilled, influential or powerful. It cannot meet that need."
"Your partners need to trust that you are going to make their goals your goals."
"Don't think constraints are real. Executives see them as excuses for not delivering."
"Vibe coding, the blurring of roles, creates a competitive advantage because there is less complex communication."
"Everyone wants to have an impact on the decisions being made no matter what the role is called."
"Aim for a two for one: how can you make your goals and the goals of others align?"
"The more generous you are, the more those around you shine and everyone benefits."
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