{"id":518,"date":"2025-06-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/?p=518"},"modified":"2025-07-02T15:19:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T15:19:13","slug":"collaboration-the-most-underrated-ux-skill-no-one-talks-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/05\/collaboration-the-most-underrated-ux-skill-no-one-talks-about\/","title":{"rendered":"Collaboration: The Most Underrated UX Skill No One Talks About"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>              <title>Collaboration: The Most Underrated UX Skill No One Talks About<\/title><\/p>\n<article>\n<header>\n<h1>Collaboration: The Most Underrated UX Skill No One Talks About<\/h1>\n<address>Carrie Webster<\/address>\n<p>                  2025-06-05T08:00:00+00:00<br \/>\n                  2025-07-02T15:03:33+00:00<br \/>\n                <\/header>\n<p>When people talk about UX, it\u2019s usually about the things they can see and interact with, like wireframes and prototypes, smart interactions, and design tools like Figma, Miro, or Maze. Some of the outputs are even glamorized, like design systems, research reports, and pixel-perfect UI designs. But here\u2019s the truth I\u2019ve seen again and again in over two decades of working in UX: none of that moves the needle if there is no collaboration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Great UX doesn\u2019t happen in isolation.<\/strong> It happens through conversations with engineers, product managers, customer-facing teams, and the customer support teams who manage support tickets. Amazing UX ideas come alive in messy Miro sessions, cross-functional workshops, and those online chats (e.g., Slack or Teams) where people align, adapt, and co-create.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most impactful moments in my career weren\u2019t when I was \u201cdesigning\u201d in the traditional sense. They have been gaining incredible insights when discussing problems with teammates who have varied experiences, brainstorming, and coming up with ideas that I never could have come up with on my own. As I always say, ten minds in a room will come up with ten times as many ideas as one mind. Often, many ideas are the most useful outcome.<\/p>\n<p>There have been times when a team has helped to reframe a problem in a workshop, taken vague and conflicting feedback, and clarified a path forward, or I\u2019ve sat with a sales rep and heard the same user complaint show up in multiple conversations. This is when <strong>design becomes a team sport<\/strong>, and when your ability to capture the outcomes multiplies the UX impact.<\/p>\n<div data-audience=\"non-subscriber\" data-remove=\"true\" class=\"feature-panel-container\">\n<aside class=\"feature-panel\">\n<div class=\"feature-panel-left-col\">\n<div class=\"feature-panel-description\">\n<p>Meet <strong><a data-instant href=\"https:\/\/www.smashingconf.com\/online-workshops\/\">Smashing Workshops<\/a><\/strong> on <strong>front-end, design &amp; UX<\/strong>, with practical takeaways, live sessions, <strong>video recordings<\/strong> and a friendly Q&amp;A. With Brad Frost, St\u00e9ph Walter and <a href=\"https:\/\/smashingconf.com\/online-workshops\/workshops\">so many others<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a data-instant href=\"smashing-workshops\" class=\"btn btn--green btn--large\">Jump to the workshops\u00a0\u21ac<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"feature-panel-right-col\"><a data-instant href=\"smashing-workshops\" class=\"feature-panel-image-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"feature-panel-image\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"feature-panel-image-img lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Feature Panel\" width=\"257\" height=\"355\" data-src=\"\/images\/smashing-cat\/cat-scubadiving-panel.svg\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"why-this-article-matters-now\">Why This Article Matters Now<\/h2>\n<p>The reason collaboration feels so urgent now is that the way we work since COVID has changed, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/opub\/btn\/volume-13\/remote-work-productivity.htm\">study published by the US Department of Labor<\/a>. Teams are more cross-functional, often remote, and increasingly complex. Silos are easier to fall into, due to distance or lack of face-to-face contact, and yet alignment has never been more important. We can\u2019t afford to see collaboration as a \u201cnice to have\u201d anymore. It\u2019s a <strong>core skill<\/strong>, especially in UX, where our work touches so many parts of an organisation.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break down what collaboration in UX really means, and why it deserves way more attention than it gets.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-collaboration-in-ux-really\">What Is Collaboration In UX, Really?<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s start by clearing up a misconception. Collaboration is not the same as cooperation.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cooperation<\/strong>: \u201cYou do your thing, I\u2019ll do mine, and we\u2019ll check in later.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaboration<\/strong>: \u201cLet\u2019s figure this out together and co-own the outcome.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Collaboration, as defined in the <a href=\"https:\/\/oercollective.caul.edu.au\/communication-concepts\/chapter\/defining-collaboration\/\">book Communication Concepts<\/a>, published by Deakin University, involves <strong>working with others to produce outputs<\/strong> and\/or achieve shared goals. The outcome of collaboration is typically a tangible product or a measurable achievement, such as solving a problem or making a decision. Here\u2019s an example from a recent project:<\/p>\n<p>Recently, I worked on a fraud alert platform for a fintech business. It was a six-month project, and we had zero access to users, as the product had not yet hit the market. Also, the users were highly specialised in the B2B finance space and were difficult to find. Additionally, the team members I needed to collaborate with were based in Malaysia and Melbourne, while I am located in Sydney.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of treating that as a dead end, we turned inward: collaborating with subject matter experts, professional services consultants, compliance specialists, and customer support team members who had deep knowledge of fraud patterns and customer pain points. Through bi-weekly workshops using a Miro board, iterative feedback loops, and sketching sessions, we worked on <strong>design solution options<\/strong>. I even asked them to present their own design version as part of the process.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n    break-out article__image\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/1-miro-board.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"364\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"A Miro board with design solutions\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/1-miro-board.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      This Miro board shows a series of design solutions created by team members as part of a design thinking workshop. It was conducted online. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/1-miro-board.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After months of iterating on the fraud investigation platform through these collaboration sessions, I ended up with two different design frameworks for the investigator\u2019s dashboard. Instead of just presenting the \u201cbest one\u201d and hoping for buy-in, I ran a voting exercise with PMs, engineers, SMEs, and customer support. Everyone had a voice. The winning design was created and validated with the input of the team, resulting in an outcome that solved many problems for the end user and was <strong>owned by the entire team<\/strong>. That\u2019s collaboration!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n    break-out article__image\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/2-miro-board-design-collaboration-workshops.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"421\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Miro board with design collaboration workshops\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/2-miro-board-design-collaboration-workshops.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      Multiple and ongoing design collaboration workshops as captured in this Miro board. Stakeholders could also return and comment at their convenience. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/2-miro-board-design-collaboration-workshops.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It is definitely one of the most satisfying projects of my career.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, I recently caught up with an old colleague who now serves as a product owner. Her story was a cautionary tale: the design team had gone ahead with a major redesign of an app without looping her in until late in the game. Not surprisingly, the new design missed several key product constraints and business goals. It had to be scrapped and redone, with her now at the table. That experience reinforced what we all know deep down: your best work rarely happens in isolation.<\/p>\n<p>As illustrated in my experience, <strong>true collaboration can span many roles<\/strong>. It\u2019s not just between designers and PMs. It can also include QA testers who identify real-world issues, content strategists who ensure our language is clear and inclusive, sales representatives who interact with customers on a daily basis, marketers who understand the brand\u2019s voice, and, of course, customer support agents who are often the first to hear when something goes wrong. The best outcomes arrive when we\u2019re open to <strong>different perspectives and inputs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-collaboration-is-so-overlooked\">Why Collaboration Is So Overlooked?<\/h2>\n<p>If collaboration is so powerful, why don\u2019t we talk about it more?<\/p>\n<p>In my experience, one reason is the <a href=\"https:\/\/socialinnovationsjournal.org\/editions\/75-disruptive-innovations\/2908-let-s-bust-the-lone-hero-myth-the-role-of-collective-leadership-in-systems-change#:~:text=It%20requires%20an%20understanding%20of,affected%20by%20the%20targeted%20issue.\">myth of the \u201clone UX hero\u201d<\/a>.  Many of us entered the field inspired by stories of design geniuses revolutionising products on their own. Our portfolios often reflect that as well. We showcase our solo work, our processes, and our wins. Job descriptions often reinforce the idea of the solo UX designer, listing tool proficiency and deliverables more than soft skills and team dynamics.<\/p>\n<p>And then there\u2019s the team culture within many organisations of \u201cjust get the work done\u201d, which often leads to fewer meetings and tighter deadlines. As a result, a sense of collaboration is inefficient and wasted. I have also experienced working with some designers where perfectionism and territoriality creep in \u2014 \u201cThis is my design\u201d \u2014 which kills the open, communal spirit that collaboration needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"partners__lead-place\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"when-collaboration-is-the-user-research\">When Collaboration Is The User Research<\/h2>\n<p>In an ideal world, we\u2019d always have direct access to users. But let\u2019s be real. Sometimes that just doesn\u2019t happen. Whether it\u2019s due to budget constraints, time limitations, or layers of bureaucracy, talking to end users isn\u2019t always possible. That\u2019s where collaboration with team members becomes even more crucial.<\/p>\n<p>The next best thing to talking to users? Talking to the people who talk to users. Sales teams, customer success reps, tech support, and field engineers. They\u2019re all user researchers in disguise!<\/p>\n<p>On another B2C project, the end users were having trouble completing the key task. My role was to redesign the onboarding experience for an online identity capture tool for end users. I was unable to schedule interviews with end users due to budget and time constraints, so I turned to the sales and tech support teams.<\/p>\n<p>I conducted multiple mini-workshops to identify the most common onboarding issues they had heard directly from our customers. This led to a huge \u201caha\u201d moment: most users dropped off before the document capture process. They may have been struggling with a lack of instruction, not knowing the required time, or not understanding the steps involved in completing the onboarding process.<\/p>\n<p>That insight reframed my approach, and we ultimately redesigned the flow to prioritize orientation and clear instructions before proceeding to the setup steps. Below is an example of one of the screen designs, including some of the instructions we added.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/3-screen-design.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"885\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"A screen design\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/3-screen-design.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      The screen design above includes some of the instructions we added after our design workshop outcomes. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/collaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill\/3-screen-design.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This kind of collaboration <em>is<\/em> user research. It\u2019s not a substitute for talking to users directly, but it\u2019s a <strong>powerful proxy<\/strong> when you have limited options.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"but-what-about-using-ai\">But What About Using AI?<\/h2>\n<p>Glad you asked! Even AI tools, which are increasingly being used for idea generation, pattern recognition, or rapid prototyping, don\u2019t replace collaboration; they just change the shape of it.<\/p>\n<p>AI can help you explore design patterns, draft user flows, or generate multiple variations of a layout in seconds. It\u2019s fantastic for getting past creative blocks or pressure-testing your assumptions. But let\u2019s be clear: these tools are accelerators, not oracles. As an innovation and strategy consultant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/team-collaboration-does-ai-help-hinder-nathan-waterhouse-canse\/\">Nathan Waterhouse points out<\/a>, AI can point you in a direction, but it can\u2019t tell you which direction is the <em>right<\/em> one in your specific context. That still requires human judgment, empathy, and an understanding of the messy realities of users and business goals.<\/p>\n<p>You still need people, especially those closest to your users, to validate, challenge, and evolve any AI-generated idea. For instance, you might use ChatGPT to brainstorm onboarding flows for a SaaS tool, but if you\u2019re not involving customer support reps who regularly hear <em>\u201cI didn\u2019t know where to start\u201d<\/em> or <em>\u201cI couldn\u2019t even log in,\u201d<\/em> you\u2019re just working with assumptions. The same applies to engineers who know what is technically feasible or PMs who understand where the business is headed.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\">\n<p>\n    <a class=\"pull-quote__link\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=%0aAI%20can%20generate%20ideas,%20but%20only%20collaboration%20turns%20those%20ideas%20into%20something%20usable,%20valuable,%20and%20real.%20Think%20of%20it%20as%20a%20powerful%20ingredient,%20but%20not%20the%20whole%20recipe.%0a&amp;url=https:\/\/smashingmagazine.com%2f2025%2f06%2fcollaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill%2f\"><\/p>\n<p>AI can generate ideas, but only collaboration turns those ideas into something usable, valuable, and real. Think of it as a powerful ingredient, but not the whole recipe.<\/p>\n<p>    <\/a>\n  <\/p>\n<div class=\"pull-quote__quotation\">\n<div class=\"pull-quote__bg\">\n      <span class=\"pull-quote__symbol\">\u201c<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-strengthen-your-ux-collaboration-skills\">How To Strengthen Your UX Collaboration Skills?<\/h2>\n<p>If collaboration doesn\u2019t come naturally or hasn\u2019t been a focus, that\u2019s okay. Like any skill, it can be practiced and improved. Here are a few ways to level up:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Cultivate curiosity about your teammates.<\/strong><br \/>\nAsk engineers what keeps them up at night. Learn what metrics your PMs care about. Understand the types of tickets the support team handles most frequently. The more you care about their challenges, the more they\u2019ll care about yours.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Get comfortable facilitating.<\/strong><br \/>\nYou don\u2019t need to be a certified Design Sprint master, but learning how to run a structured conversation, align stakeholders, or synthesize different points of view is hugely valuable. Even a simple \u201cWhat\u2019s working? What\u2019s not?\u201d retro can be an amazing starting point in identifying where you need to focus next.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Share early, share often.<\/strong><br \/>\nDon\u2019t wait until your designs are polished to get input. Messy sketches and rough prototypes invite collaboration. When others feel like they\u2019ve helped shape the work, they\u2019re more invested in its success.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Practice active listening.<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen someone critiques your work, don\u2019t immediately defend. Pause. Ask follow-up questions. Reframe the feedback. Collaboration isn\u2019t about consensus; it\u2019s about finding a shared direction that can honour multiple truths.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Co-own the outcome.<\/strong><br \/>\nLet go of your ego. The best UX work isn\u2019t \u201cyour\u201d work. It\u2019s the result of many voices, skill sets, and conversations converging toward a solution that helps users. It\u2019s not \u201cI\u201d, it\u2019s \u201cwe\u201d that will solve this problem together.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"partners__lead-place\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion-ux-is-a-team-sport\">Conclusion: UX Is A Team Sport<\/h2>\n<p>Great design doesn\u2019t emerge from a vacuum. It comes from <strong>open dialogue<\/strong>, <strong>cross-functional understanding<\/strong>, and a <strong>shared commitment<\/strong> to solving real problems for real people.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s one thing I wish every early-career designer knew, it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\">\n<p>\n    <a class=\"pull-quote__link\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=%0aCollaboration%20is%20not%20a%20side%20skill.%20It%e2%80%99s%20the%20engine%20behind%20every%20meaningful%20design%20outcome.%20And%20for%20seasoned%20professionals,%20it%e2%80%99s%20the%20superpower%20that%20turns%20good%20teams%20into%20great%20ones.%0a&amp;url=https:\/\/smashingmagazine.com%2f2025%2f06%2fcollaboration-most-underrated-ux-skill%2f\"><\/p>\n<p>Collaboration is not a side skill. It\u2019s the engine behind every meaningful design outcome. And for seasoned professionals, it\u2019s the superpower that turns good teams into great ones.<\/p>\n<p>    <\/a>\n  <\/p>\n<div class=\"pull-quote__quotation\">\n<div class=\"pull-quote__bg\">\n      <span class=\"pull-quote__symbol\">\u201c<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>So next time you\u2019re tempted to go heads-down and just \u201ccrank out a design,\u201d pause to reflect. Ask who else should be in the room. And invite them in, not just to review your work, but to help create it.<\/p>\n<p>Because in the end, the best UX isn\u2019t just what you make. It\u2019s what you make <em>together<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"further-reading-on-smashingmag\">Further Reading On SmashingMag<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/2024\/06\/presenting-ux-research-design-stakeholders\/\">Presenting UX Research And Design To Stakeholders: The Power Of Persuasion<\/a>,\u201d Victor Yocco<\/li>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/2024\/05\/transforming-relationship-between-designers-developers\/\">Transforming The Relationship Between Designers And Developers<\/a>,\u201d Chris Day<\/li>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/2022\/10\/effective-communication-everyday-meetings\/\">Effective Communication For Everyday Meetings<\/a>,\u201d Andrii Zhdan<\/li>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/2022\/04\/ux-integrated-design-workflows\/\">Preventing Bad UX Through Integrated Design Workflows<\/a>,\u201d Ceara Crawshaw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"signature\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Smashing Editorial\" width=\"35\" height=\"46\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/images\/logo\/logo--red.png\"><br \/>\n  <span>(yk)<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Collaboration: The Most Underrated UX Skill No One Talks About Collaboration: The Most Underrated UX Skill No One Talks About Carrie Webster 2025-06-05T08:00:00+00:00 2025-07-02T15:03:33+00:00 When people talk about UX, it\u2019s usually about the things they can see and interact with, like wireframes and prototypes, smart interactions, and design tools like Figma, Miro, or Maze. Some&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ux"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=518"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":519,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions\/519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.barbaramayo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}