By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first stepped into a leadership role, I believed that being a good leader meant having all the answers and making quick decisions. I focused on tasks, goals, and results, thinking that was enough to inspire my team. But I quickly learned that leadership is much more than that. It starts with something deeply personal: managing your own emotions. Emotional regulation is the foundation of servant leadership. Without it, you can’t tr

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working on UX projects, I believed that using every research method available would give me the clearest picture of user needs. I thought more data meant better decisions. But soon, I realized that juggling too many methods at once often blurred the insights instead of sharpening them. The challenge is not just collecting data but making sure each method adds value without overwhelming the process or diluting the fin

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Finding the right UX research role can feel overwhelming. The job market is crowded, and not every listing tells the full story about the company or the position. When I was searching for my last UX research job, I quickly realized that Glassdoor was more than just a place to read reviews—it became a powerful tool to guide my search and make informed decisions. Here’s how I used Glassdoor to find a role that truly fit my skills and caree

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Landing a UX research job can feel like a challenge, especially when competition is fierce. I remember when I first started my job search, I underestimated how much my LinkedIn profile could influence recruiters and hiring managers. Over time, I learned that a well-crafted LinkedIn presence can open doors and create opportunities that a resume alone might miss. If you are a UX researcher looking for your next role, optimizing your Linked

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Facing the question “Tell me about a research failure” can feel intimidating. It’s not just about admitting something went wrong; it’s about showing how you handle setbacks and grow from them. I’ve been there, and I want to share how to turn this tricky question into an opportunity to highlight your resilience, learning, and problem-solving skills. Research workspace showing notes and laptop, symbolizing a challenging research phase Why

When I first started working in user experience design, I struggled to clearly define what I wanted to test and why. I often found myself guessing what might improve the user journey without a solid plan. That changed when I discovered the power of a well-crafted UX hypothesis. It gave me a clear framework to state assumptions, test ideas, and measure results. If you want to improve your design process and make data-driven decisions, understanding how to build a UX hypothesis

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Starting a career in UX research is exciting. You get to explore how people interact with products and help shape better experiences. But after some time, you might feel stuck or unsure if your current role is still the right fit. I’ve been there myself, and recognizing when it’s time to move on can be tricky. In this post, I’ll share key signs that helped me decide it was time to look for a new UX research opportunity, along with practi

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Breaking into UX research can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. When I started, I faced the same challenge: how to prove my skills and land that first role without years of experience. If you’re eager to join this field, I’ll share the practical steps I took and what worked best to get noticed by employers. A UX research project dashboard on a laptop screen Understand what UX research really means Before applying for a UX Research

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Finding the right place to launch or grow your UX research career can feel overwhelming. With so many job boards and career sites out there, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. I’ve spent years navigating this space, and I want to share the best UX research career sites that helped me find meaningful roles and connect with the right opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step, these sites offer a mix