Steve Portigal is a veteran user research leader and consultant who helps companies mature their research practices. He’s the author of Interviewing Users, a classic in the field, and the host of the design leadership podcast Dollars to Donuts. In this conversation, we explore:
• how to use creative practices to develop your voice as a leader and storyteller
• how to be a smart consumer of research findings when you aren’t an expert in the craft of research
• one simple question leaders can ask to set their organizations to make the most of research
• and how to create the conditions for high-impact, effective creative work in your team
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Topics discussed
(10:21) Experimenting with writing and finding one's voice
(15:47) Feedback model: GASP - goals, attempts, successes, possibilities
(19:53) Workshops, creativity, and self-doubt
(27:06) Embrace authenticity, find your unique facilitation style
(28:10) Appreciating different approaches, understanding executives' skepticism
(34:37) Engage with compassion
(39:29) Research is essential for informed decision-making
(49:01) Compassion and reflection are crucial for leaders
(50:48) Create a safe learning space for engagement
(56:03) Assessing code quality and marketing effectiveness
(01:00:39) Research raises questions, timing and deployment important
(01:10:31) Stay fascinated with the world around you
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Links & resources mentioned
• Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email
• Steve Portigal: website, LinkedIn
• Book: Interviewing Users
• Podcast: Dollars to Donuts
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Related episodes
• #3 Christina Wodtke: Unleashing potential with extraordinary teams
• #62 Sahil Lavingia: Independent Thinking & Pricing at Gumroad
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Books
• Interviewing Users
• Don’t Make Me Think
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Other resources
• Great User Research (for Non-Researchers)
• When to Use Which User-Experience Research Methods
• Nielsen: Why You Only Need to Test with 5 Users
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