Sometimes, guiding participants during UX research can be beneficial. In a clip from my #CorporateUnderpants series with Mike Neff, we discuss how transforming vague concepts into tangible examples, even if intentionally incorrect, can clear up confusion and foster understanding. #UXResearch
All data is a measurement.
But if you’re measuring the wrong thing—or don’t know what you’re aiming for—it’s just noise.
#CorporateUnderpants #DataStrategy #ProductLeadership #UXDesign #ExecutiveAlignment
The real problem is almost never what 'they' think it is. From my conversation with Melissa Appel, co-author of #Aligned: When the execs didn't like the delivery time estimates so they just...changed them. And called it a delivery problem.
#CorporateUnderpants #ExecutiveAlignment #Aligned
Personas don’t work? Or do we just keep renaming them?
✔️ Proto-personas
✔️ Presumptive personas
✔️ Alignment personas (mine!)
The process matters more than the artifact.
💬 How do you define personas in your work today? 👇
🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/@corporateunderpants/shorts
#CorporateUnderpants
Alignment isn’t about personas—it’s about the process.
But alignment personas are about process, personas, AND alignment.
#CorporateUnderpants
UX democratization: good or bad? Or actually just 'delegation'?
What’s the right balance between participation and expertise?
And what about ... training??
As always, @Jared Spool gets to the heart of the debate.
Catch the whole #CorporateUnderpants episode on your favorite podcast platform.
Fix a problem, and nobody remembers the problem.
If alignment works, it looks obvious. Set goals before starting so leadership sees your impact.
💬 How do you make sure your work is recognized? 👇
🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/@corporateunderpants/shorts
#CorporateUnderpants
"Oops! I invented voicemail. My bad." --Jared Spool
Check out the whole #CorporateUnderpants interview on Corporateunderpants.com.
#TechHistory #Voicemail #Innovation #AccidentalGenius
Need leadership to listen? Start small—or bring in backup.
If you don’t have trust yet, bring in an outside consultant who can push leadership forward.
💬 What’s the best way to get execs to listen? 👇
🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/@corporateunderpants/shorts
#CorporateUnderpants
Nobody ever "already has" business goals.
❌ Great! Send them over.
⏳ Silence.
The fix? Call it something they can’t say no to.
✅ “Discovery”
✅ “Strategy”
✅ “Stakeholder Alignment”
🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/@corporateunderpants/shorts
#CorporateUnderpants
Want alignment to work? Start small.
Alignment only works if you have political capital. Build trust first—prove alignment works on a small project, then scale.
💬 How do you build leadership buy-in? 👇
#CorporateUnderpants
🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/@corporateunderpants/shorts
Part 2 of my conversation with Adam Staffa is live!
An early alignment workshop turned a higher ed home page redesign into a rare win—early, under budget, and no hate mail.
youtube.com/@corporateunderpants
💬 How do you get buy-in when everyone has different priorities? 👇
#CorporateUnderpants
Amazon: Buy dishes in 10 minutes. Higher ed: Make a decision over years.
A university website doesn’t just serve one user—it has to support students, parents, faculty, and advisors over time.
💬 What’s the hardest part of designing for higher ed? 👇
#CorporateUnderpants
