Summary
You may have noticed that all is not well in the world. Caught between a pandemic, a civil rights reckoning and the spectre of global conflict - you still have to show up each day and lead your team. With so much happening, it's easy to forget that the scale of your impact doesn't only come from the tools, systems or processes that you implement, but also from the depth of the questions you ask of yourself, of your team, and of your users. Drawing from over 75 long-format interviews with some of the best and brightest design leaders, this talk explores some of the big questions facing the field, and how you can use the humble question to be a better leader. Warning: this talk may raise more questions than it provides answers for.
Key Insights
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The pandemic forced deep reflection on personal and collective narratives.
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Socratic questioning is vital for challenging the status quo and fostering curiosity.
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Design leaders must embrace ethical responsibilities in their work.
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Diversity and inclusivity are essential for effective design practices.
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The stories we tell ourselves influence our behaviors and potential for impact.
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Critical questions help us navigate through uncertainty and despair.
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Design has the responsibility to consider its societal implications.
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Better questions lead to greater understanding and innovation in design.
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Reflecting on personal challenges can enhance professional growth.
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We must work actively to change narratives that limit progress.
Notable Quotes
"On March 25, 2020, as New Zealand entered a strict lockdown, I felt helpless and stupid."
"Each of us has been throughout our own version of Hell these past couple of years."
"Our ability to question our external and internal worlds is Central to our Humanity."
"Good questions are your allies; they're a gift that may unlock a deeper understanding."
"The get between our intentions and our outcomes couldn't be more apparent when considering who's not in the room."
"We shouldn't settle for good enough or justify poor performance."
"Getting mad about not having a seat at the table isn't productive."
"The stories we tell are framed by the questions we ask."
"It is up to us to create a better frame for design tomorrow by questioning design today."
"Keep being brave."
More Videos
"If you go to where you're loved, you'll find more support for your design ideas."
Discussion
June 9, 2017
"Today's theme is resilience."
Bria AlexanderTheme 1 Intro
September 23, 2024
"Flexibility allows you to use whatever tool you want, integrating easily with existing software."
Benjamin Wiedmaier Annie MayfieldRedefining Toolkits: Unbundling to Create a Perfect Match
March 11, 2025
"We found that everyone wanted to know the official pattern to use, to avoid confusion."
Eniola OluwoleLessons From the DesignOps Journey of the World's Largest Travel Site
October 24, 2019
"Creating an environment where failure is welcomed can enhance innovation."
Justin Entzminger Terrance Smith Tracy M. Colunga Mai-Ling GarciaRisk and Reward: How to Diversify the Field of Civic Innovators and Designers
November 17, 2022
"I want to hear about it, if you’re uncomfortable, let us know."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
October 4, 2023
"We could teach each other's work and we still have a family that we created by actually interacting with each other."
Holly ColeUnderstanding Experiences: When you have to do more than work
November 8, 2018
"Simplicity is key for practitioners; they need actionable insights that can drive decisions."
Mohammad Hossein JarrahiContextuality problem: Exploring the Benefits of Qualitative and Quantitative Research
January 20, 2023
"Let's be as concerted as we can when we deliver insights."
Brad Peters Anne MamaghaniShort Take #1: UX/Product Lessons from Your Industry Peers
December 6, 2022
