If you’re new to #UX or #ProductDesign, I’m willing to bet you’re struggling with self-confidence. I sure as hell did some 30 years ago when I began my career.

Confidence in my own opinions was a country I’d never been to. My default position was that everyone else had been doing this longer than me, so they must know a hell of a lot more than me. Who was I to question their experience?

As time went on, though, the nagging feelings I’d have during meetings — that there were questions someone should be asking here, that this plan was a bad one, that decisions were being made on personal opinion — only got stronger. And louder. 

So I started speaking up. Politely, of course, but challenging just the same: “I’m the new guy and I may be wrong here, but I think this could backfire on us. I say that because…” and I’d explain my reasoning. They’d shut me down sometimes, of course. But an equal number of times, someone would give me a look like they couldn’t believe no one thought of this until now…and sometimes they voiced that thought: “I’m really glad you said something; we missed this.”

The lesson: experience doesn’t equal omnipotence. 

Yes, you’re new at this — but that doesn’t automatically mean you’re wrong about something. Keeping those thoughts to yourself only (a) reinforces the voice of Impostor Syndrome telling you you’re not good enough and (b) robs every person you work with of a potential opportunity or way of doing something that could very well be game-changing. 

Speak up. You owe it to yourself and to your colleagues.

And if you need help finding your courage, I offer private coaching for UXers and product designers. I’ve helped hundreds of people reclaim their power, rebuild their self-confidence and resilience and do better work. 

In that order. 

Let me know how I can help:
#UX #ProductDesign