Designer to Manager, a Product Manager's Guide to Advancing Your UX Career

In the ever-evolving world of UX design, staying ahead means learning from the best. I recently had the chance to chat with a product manager at Gusto, and the insights were too good not to share. Here are three essential tips that can help you level up your UX game.

1. Mentor Others to Practice Management

Being open to management can do wonders for your career. Consider your mindset around management, what comes to mind when you think of yourself as a manager. Open yourself up to this possibility. Build your people skills and look for ways to manage and guide people unofficially before stepping into the role. Think of mentoring others as a trial run. It’s a fantastic way to test the waters without diving in headfirst. Plus, helping others grow can be incredibly rewarding and can boost your own skills in the process.

2. Carve Out Time for Innovation

We all know the grind can get intense, but don’t let the daily hustle stop you from innovating. Schedule time specifically for creative exploration and thinking outside the box. Innovation doesn't just happen; you have to make space for it. Whether it's through brainstorming sessions, hackathons, or just setting aside a couple of hours each week to experiment, make it a priority. Innovation is incredibly valuable to any organization and thus developing this skill can help you advance in your career.

3. Design Your Design System

When leading a team you need processes and systems to ensure consistent quality. Design systems are the unsung heroes of product design. They might not be as flashy as the final product, but they’re just as important. Just like the frame of a building, a design systems give structure to the product. Give your design system as much thought and systematic planning as the products you build with it. A well-crafted design system ensures consistency, efficiency, and scalability, making your life (and your team’s life) much easier in the long run. At Gusto they created a custom site that acts as a source of truth for the development and design teams for their design system.

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