3 Tips for Effective Collaboration
How UX designers can leverage teamwork to become more effective, efficient and creative
Whether you are a designer, PM, or software developer at a tech company, it is incredibly important to learn to communicate well with peers that come from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
Here are three tips that help you communicate more effectively with partners from different disciplines:
Tip #1: Speak their Language
Use the same terminology as those you collaborate with. Are you in a room full of technical people? Ask for clarification when things go over your head and gradually try to use the same terms as they do in their conversation.
Terminology is specific to specialized groups and if you choose to remain as an “outsider” seeking to find common ground, you may find yourself always a step behind the most pressing goals/values of the other group.
Terminology also reflects the goals of the individual — if your engineering team is concerned about user engagement, clicks, and telemetry, then it is something that you should be aware of as well.
In the same way, don’t assume the other party understands your specific group lingo. Not everyone outside the design profession understands why white space is important, or what the data ink ratio is.
Be careful not to make assumptions and reduce your desire to use jargon when plain language would do.
Tip #2: Use Empathy
Try to gauge every scenario with your partner’s frame of reference. Assess situations and frame opinions in a way that both parties benefit (but start the conversation with how they will benefit first).
The phrase “So you can…” is helpful in this situation even if you aren’t using these words specifically. It reminds you to pose your reasoning while in the other person’s shoes to better resolve conflicts and reach mutual understanding.
Tip #3 Iterate on your Process
If you do see gaps in the process when you collaborate, or often run into issues with other parties, take a step back. Assess the process and ask what you (or your team) can do to bridge the gaps.
Communication is difficult enough even with people you know well (e.g., your spouse, close friends, family). It is going to be a challenge across those you don’t see often or don’t have the benefit of time to meet daily.
Take positive steps toward improving communication — put down your devices, jot down action items/notes. Run a meeting effectively so it doesn’t feel like you’re wasting someone else’s valuable time with what can be done over email.
Make it a habit to repeat another person’s POV before interjecting with your own. This can be useful in negotiations as well as day to day discussions.
Most times, when two individuals engage in a conversation, each patiently waits for the other person to be done with whatever story he or she is telling. Then, the other person tells his or her own story, usually on a related topic and often times in an attempt to have a better and more interesting story.
— Robin Dreeke
Conclusion
Consider another person’s perspective and their priorities. Listen before speaking. Be engaging.
Successful collaboration between groups with different backgrounds and strengths brings forth better products and services because they are informed by a multitude of perspectives. Creating products that are highly functional, beautiful, and understandable should be everyone’s goal, but at times it may not seem like it. I hope these tips will help your teams collaborate more effectively and achieve their goals.
—
Thanks for reading! Feel free to check out my design work if you’d like.
To stay in-the-know with Microsoft Design, follow us on Dribbble, Twitter and Facebook, or join our Windows Insider program. And if you are interested in joining our team, head over to aka.ms/DesignCareers.
