PHILIP BURGESS

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first encountered the idea of servant leadership, I was skeptical. Leadership, in my mind, was about authority, decision-making, and driving results. The notion of leading by serving others felt counterintuitive. Yet, over time, I discovered that this quiet discipline holds a powerful key to building trust, fostering growth, and creating lasting impact. What Servant Leadership Really Means Servant leadership flips the traditional

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first stepped into a leadership role, I believed that being a servant leader meant always having the right answers and making everyone feel comfortable. I quickly learned that leadership is rarely comfortable. The real challenge is sitting with discomfort—leaning into difficult conversations, facing uncertainty, and managing emotions without rushing to fix or avoid them. This skill is essential for anyone who wants to lead with em

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 Trust is the foundation of any strong team or community. When trust breaks down, it can feel like everything is at risk. For a servant leader, whose role is to support and serve others, broken trust presents a unique challenge. How do you continue to lead effectively when the very bond that connects you to your team is damaged? This post explores practical ways servant leaders can rebuild trust and restore healthy relationships. A weathe

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Leadership styles shape how teams perform, how individuals feel valued, and how goals are achieved. Two approaches that often get confused are servant leadership and people-pleasing . While both involve caring for others, their motivations and outcomes differ greatly. Understanding these differences helps leaders build stronger teams without sacrificing their own boundaries or effectiveness. What Servant Leadership Means Servant leaders

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Servant leadership has gained popularity as a leadership style that focuses on serving others, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing the growth and well-being of team members. It encourages leaders to listen, empathize, and support their teams rather than simply directing or commanding. Despite its emphasis on humility and service, servant leadership still requires clear expectations to function effectively. Without clear guidelines,

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Servant leadership often gets misunderstood as a style where leaders simply yield to others, avoiding conflict or difficult decisions. This view misses the core of what servant leadership truly means. Serving others does not require passivity or sacrificing your own needs and limits. In fact, setting clear boundaries is essential to lead effectively while serving. This post explores how servant leaders can balance care and authority, ens

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Integrity stands as the cornerstone of effective servant leadership. Without it, leadership risks losing trust, direction, and purpose. Servant leadership, a philosophy where leaders prioritize the needs of others, depends heavily on the leader’s honesty, consistency, and moral principles. This post explores why integrity is essential for servant leaders and how it shapes their ability to inspire, guide, and serve. Reflection and honesty

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader How studying people taught me how to lead them. 💬 Introduction: UX Research Leadership Lessons Hidden in Research Sessions UX Research Leadership didn’t come to me through an MBA program, a management seminar, or a job title. It came through research sessions  — hours of listening, observing, and learning how people think, feel, and behave. Over time, I realized the same principles that make a great UX researcher also make a great leade

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader How humility, listening, and empowerment create stronger research cultures. 💬 Introduction: Leadership That Starts With Service In UX research, leadership isn’t about titles, control, or visibility — it’s about service.The most effective leaders I’ve met weren’t the loudest voices in the room; they were the ones who listened the deepest. Servant leadership shifts the center of gravity from “How can my team serve me?”  to “How can I serv

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Remote and hybrid work have permanently reshaped how teams connect, collaborate, and grow. While the tools have changed, one timeless leadership model continues to stand out: servant leadership . Rooted in empathy, trust, and empowerment, servant leadership is especially powerful in distributed workplaces where face-to-face connections are limited. What is Servant Leadership? Servant leadership flips the traditional hierarchy. Instead of

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader “The art of leadership is not giving answers, but asking the right questions.”    In UX research, autonomy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. When leaders shift from issuing directives to posing thoughtful questions, they unlock deeper insight, stronger ownership, and scalable impact. Why Autonomy Matters in UX Research UX researchers thrive when they’re trusted to explore, adapt, and innovate. Autonomy fuels: Methodological rigor : Resear

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader   Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.  In UX research, this means shifting from directing to empowering—serving first, so your team can thrive. Why “Serve First” Matters in UX Research UX researchers are the heartbeat of user-centered design. They navigate ambiguity, advocate for users, and translate insights into impact. But too often, they’re asked to deliver without being supported.

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader In the high-stakes world of research-driven organizations—where data guides decisions and insights shape strategy—trust isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the currency of collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact. And one leadership philosophy consistently earns that trust: servant leadership . What Is Servant Leadership? Servant leadership flips the traditional hierarchy. Instead of commanding from the top, servant leaders empower f

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader In the fast-paced world of product development, UX Research Leaders often feel the pressure to move quickly, deliver insights, and prove value. But the strongest leaders know that their role isn’t about controlling every detail—it’s about empowering their team to thrive. This is where servant leadership  becomes not only relevant but transformative. Understanding Servant Leadership Servant leadership flips the traditional leadership mode

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As UX Research Leaders, we don’t just manage projects—we manage people. And sometimes, the conversations we have with our researchers are charged with emotion. Whether it’s frustration over a stalled project, anxiety about career growth, or personal stress spilling into work, these moments require us to lean into servant leadership. Servant leadership isn’t about control; it’s about care, empathy, and creating a space where people feel h

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As researchers, we’re trained to uncover hidden truths, challenge assumptions, and illuminate the details that often go unnoticed. But sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when we pull back the curtain on ourselves. As your UX Research Leader, I believe transparency and authenticity are as important as skill and strategy. So today, I want to share a few things you might not know about me—beyond resumes, research decks, and t

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As someone who’s built and scaled UX research practices across global organizations, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring researchers at every level. One of the most important—and often most misunderstood—conversations is about promotion. If you’re thinking about leveling up, here’s what I want you to know before you ask me for a promotion. This isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about demonstrating readiness, strategic impact, and...

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Leading a UX research team in an agile environment requires more than just managing tasks and deadlines. It demands a leadership style that puts the team’s needs first, fosters collaboration, and nurtures growth. Servant leadership offers a powerful approach to achieve this by focusing on empathy, support, and shared purpose. This post explores how servant leadership can transform the way UX research teams operate within agile frameworks

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Mentoring and coaching junior UX researchers plays a crucial role in shaping the future of user experience design. As the demand for skilled UX professionals grows, organizations must invest in developing new talent who can navigate complex research challenges and deliver meaningful insights. This post explores practical ways to support junior researchers, helping them build confidence, sharpen skills, and contribute effectively to proje