That one definition for UX does not exist.
But here is the point, that’s actually ok.

It was the same with all the conversation that had been going on if design thinking is dead or not. The community agrees now that there is not one definition and that we have to accept that people are practicing it in different ways. This is why you write design thinking in small caps and so should it be with user experience.

No one owns it.

It certainly means add on costs when you bring a UX designer on board and you need to make sure he works with the team. The UX designer contributes to better meet the needs of the user. He understands the user and he builds prototypes, tests and learns from them. That happens iterative and fast. That happens quick and dirty. He maps the customer journey. He will find the product fit and validates. A good UX designer will make sure that everything around the product is thought through and that everything is there for purpose, and follows the company’s and product’s vision. He certainly cannot ignore branding, UI design, IA, SEO and the other things that add to the bigger picture. He has to think system, all the time. He brings the user in. He talks for the user.

Peter Morville’s honeycomb as a tool allows conversation beyond usability. The UX designers job is to bring in those qualities in the product as a whole.

And here is my advice for UX designers: You really bring value to the team and your company when you not only do a good job on the product. But when you help your team to make those values underlying UX your common ground.

There are many guys like Timur out there. Maybe you have one on your team as well. But instead of taking the critics personally, coach guys like him. Don’t be too proud, but rather make them UX designers to some extent as well. Work with them through the various tools, take them with you when you speak to the user and always try to facilitate.

Because…

The best UX designer is always also a coach