The Power of Care: From Human-Centered Research to Humanity-Centered Leadership
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 fundamental superpower that user researchers bring to leadership, beyond field expertise.
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Inclusive research demands going beyond dominant user groups to uplift underrepresented voices and create better experiences for all.
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Leadership is not defined by title or seniority but by making others better in ways that outlast your presence.
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Authenticity in leadership emerges from genuine connection to people’s real stories and whole lives, not superficial gestures.
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Ethnographic methods help uncover meaningful user motivations that translate directly into product priorities.
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Building trust and connection remotely requires frequent micro-interactions that show authentic care between colleagues.
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Initiatives like CONNECS help foster belonging and visibility in remote teams by sharing personal passions in low-pressure ways.
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Practicing self-care is an ethical imperative for researchers to sustain empathy and professional effectiveness.
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Inclusive leadership environments enable collaboration and respect to happen freely, empowering diverse people to thrive.
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Lowering barriers to sharing, such as brief, informal presentations, helps introverted or early-career teammates be visible and connected.
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."
"Inclusive research should not be a feel-good activity but treated as the norm on every project."
"Authentic leadership can be characterized as genuine, self-aware, and transparent."
"Caring personally isn't about memorizing birthdays or throwing big team offsites; it’s about real conversations and learning what’s important to people."
"Trust is built not just in big moments but in little marbles filling a jar over time."
"Self-care is an ethical imperative in UX; your well-being impacts your professional responsibilities."
"Sharing personal passions in low-stakes ways creates opportunities for colleagues to be visible, seen, and included."
"We lead ourselves, our peers, and our stakeholders; leadership happens at all levels and in all settings."
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