Thread by @berkun

Here's my latest talk - Design & Power: A Political Playbook for Creative Leaders vimeo.com/298197873 - thanks @ldconf & @clearleft (link to slides in next tweet) #design #ux

Slides here: slideshare.net/berkun/leading…

A blind spot for designers and is overestimating the value of HCI knowledge. In any organization, it's mastery of skills in HHI (Human to human) and HGI (Human to Group) interaction that defines how effective you will be.

It's curious that despite #ux #design having roots in psychology and anthropology, we have academic knowledge - we're not good at applying it in practice to solve people problems (which is what work politics is).

It sounds belittling to say designers need to be more charming, but they do. If you apply ux methods to interacting with others (what are their needs? etc.), it improves how you make requests of other people. Charm and diplomacy are critical skills for anyone with ideas.

A good boss improves the culture under their influence - even in an organization with major problems, a leader has the power in their own decisions, meetings and relationships to create a better landscape. #pickyourbosswisely

Thanks to @cwodtke, @alanstairs and Bob Baxley for their suggestions in putting this talk together.

Ha - I just realized in posting this that I mixed my metaphors - it should a DESERT of Machiavellian turmoil and despair. You don't need an oasis if you're in an ocean. #doh #fixedfornexttime