The Collaborator

“Somewhat Replaceable. Some of your job could be done by AI.”

 

Here's Why:

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You’re helpful. You contribute ideas. You’re probably even liked by your PM. But you’re reactive more often than proactive. You rarely influence product strategy, roadmap priorities, or metrics that matter. You’re adding value—but inconsistently. To step into a truly impactful role, you need to own more of the process and connect UX to business outcomes.

 

​How to Become Irreplaceable:

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• Know the Business (Read Chapter #7)
  Understanding how your product makes money, what your users pay for, and what your company values gives your design work teeth. It earns you a seat at the table.

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• Align with Roadmaps (Read Chapter #6)
  Your work should evolve with the product, not be shoehorned in last minute. Learn to design iteratively, tied to what’s shipping now and what’s coming later.

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• Attend Planning Meetings (Read Chapter #5)
  Don’t wait for a ticket to hit your queue. Join the conversations that shape what gets built. This lets you influence earlier and avoid last-minute chaos.

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• Speak in Metrics (Read Chapter #8)
  Move beyond “this feels better.” Use data like NPS, churn, or task completion to show impact. You’ll gain credibility and help product see design as a lever, not a cost.

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• Offer Solutions, Not Just Polish (Read Chapter #5)
  Don’t just wait for a spec. Get in early, identify problems, and help craft the solution alongside your PM and engineers.