How to Use Self-Directed Learning to Ensure Your Research Insights are Heard and Acted Upon
Summary
In our remote world, we as researchers need new ways to help our stakeholders cut through the noise to engage and digest our insights more meaningfully through thoughtful and intentional self-directed learning techniques. In this short session, we will discuss 4 key self-directed learning techniques to help you increase engagement around your insights during our debriefing sessions with your stakeholders.
Key Insights
-
•
Self-directed learning can empower stakeholders to engage with research insights on their own terms, increasing uptake and action.
-
•
Designing the context of insight sharing intentionally—considering group size, goals, and stakeholder needs—improves clarity and impact.
-
•
Emotional literacy, or checking in on participants’ feelings before sharing insights, helps prime stakeholders for better receptiveness.
-
•
Asynchronous collaboration within live sessions encourages quieter voices to be heard and builds rich discussions around insights.
-
•
Using digital tools that allow commenting directly on research reports democratizes feedback and documents conversations in real time.
-
•
Early engagement of stakeholders in framing research questions fosters buy-in and makes the research more relevant to their concerns.
-
•
Not everyone needs to read or engage with all research content; focusing on the most influential stakeholders optimizes effort and impact.
-
•
Combining synchronous and asynchronous modes in insight sharing sessions can manage Zoom fatigue and diversify participation.
-
•
Explicitly naming stakeholders' questions in research reports increases their sense of being seen and encourages participation.
-
•
Insight sharing should shift from just delivering information to designing a learning experience tailored to stakeholders’ strengths and interests.
Notable Quotes
"Change is the only constant, so designing insight sharing with self-directed learning is critical."
"Caring for people emotionally during insight sessions directly impacts their productivity and willingness to engage."
"Sometimes the loudest voices dominate, but asynchronous collaboration helps give quieter voices a chance to speak."
"I literally ask, how are you feeling right now? It’s about connecting on a human level before diving into data."
"Before sharing insights, I try to prime the room by acknowledging feelings and starting fresh."
"Sharing insights is like creating a learning space where stakeholders can use the information in their own way."
"Sending reports early and inviting comments turns the insight session into more of a discussion than a presentation."
"Everyone wants to see themselves reflected in the research questions and findings."
"Focus your research report on the three most influential stakeholders, not everyone."
"Combining synchronous and asynchronous communication within one session gets us from awareness to action."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"I feel like we are the user advocates. Our job is to be on the side of the angels and the users."
Steve Krug Louis RosenfeldDon’t Make Me Think 3.0: What Endures and What Evolves in UX
March 11, 2026
"When you market UX research, you prove and show your value, make your company smarter by your insights, and create advocates."
Molly FargotsteinMultipurpose Communication & UX Research Marketing
September 12, 2019
"Good data culture is intentional about the decisions we want to make and why."
David ConradThe Feeling of Data
September 14, 2023
"Blue sky projects should have no gating metrics and no short-term metrics because their value is long-term."
William Newton Jenny ChangHow to Lead With Data, and Without Data
June 7, 2023
"Relationships are a currency and if you have strong connections, you’ll be rich in your career."
Rachel Radway Katie Bingham Joe WiertelThe Many Paths Of Design Operations
September 8, 2022
"The best future leaders will embody the qualities and traits of a DEO — design executive officer — creative business leaders at the intersection of design and business."
Maria GiudiceBecoming a Changemaker by Leading with Design
March 29, 2023
"The Athletic’s homepage is very simple, easy to scan, and has a clear flow — one main headline with supplementary lists."
Billy CarlsonPro-level UI Tips for Beginners
September 9, 2022
"Product is designed. Design is product. We are looking at the same ecosystem in the bigger picture."
Wendy JohanssonBe a Product Boss!
December 6, 2022
"Having the researcher in the room throughout the product lifecycle is super helpful."
Anna AvrekhUser Research, Design, and Product - A Love Story
March 11, 2021
