S1E1: Are you sick of complaining about your org yet?
with guest Scott Berkun
In the very first episode of Corporate Underpants, I dive into the messy realities of what I like to call “corporate underpants.” These are the organizational, political, and interpersonal dynamics that get in the way of good product and UX design. My guest for this inaugural episode is Scott Berkun, a brilliant author and UX thinker, and we had a lively discussion about navigating chaos, managing politics, and building influence as a designer.
Key Themes from the Episode
1. The Chaos of the UX Job Market
Scott and I both acknowledge the turbulence in the UX industry, where job market cycles can create existential panic for designers. Scott reminds us that these shifts are natural in creative fields. “If stability is what you want, you’d be better off being a plumber,” he quipped.
2. Managing Organizational Politics
Let’s be real—politics aren’t optional in the corporate world. I see them as a tool to be wielded, not avoided. Scott shares a similar view, highlighting how adaptability and alignment are key to navigating these dynamics. Together, we talked about my concept of “tornado management”—dealing with the chaos that comes from executive misalignment and shifting priorities.
3. The Power of Alignment
I truly believe that many of the problems we face in design stem from misaligned assumptions. You can’t fix what you can’t see, which is why it’s so important to surface and align assumptions early on. I shared how setting measurable project goals can create a shared language for collaboration and reduce chaos.
Practical Takeaways
Understand Your Environment: Treat your workplace dynamics as a design challenge. Observe the power dynamics, build allies, and approach politics with curiosity.
Surface and Align Assumptions: Respect the assumptions driving decision-making. You can’t change what you don’t understand.
Clarify Goals: Don’t assume leadership has clarity. Push for measurable, specific project goals to ground decision-making and reduce chaos.
Embrace Politics: Instead of avoiding organizational politics, learn to navigate and influence them. This skill is essential for seniority in UX and product roles.
