Mar 18  |  Written By Akshay Sawhney

My Leadership Approach

As a UX manager with over a decade of experience at Google, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to the evolution of user experience design. Throughout my journey, from the early days of web design to the complex, multi-platform ecosystems we navigate today, my leadership philosophy has been guided by certain fundamental principles:

UX is a strategic partner

There was a time when design was viewed as a tactical, executional function; that was very much my role as a designer in 2007. Today, we recognize that UX is most effective when it operates as a strategic partner in both business and product development. I empower UX team’s to engage early, build a deep understanding of the problem space and user needs, and co-own outcomes. This means driving clarity in requirements, shaping direction through research and design, and staying accountable through implementation and launch. When UX is integrated this way, it delivers measurable impact, both for the user experience and the business.

Invest in people

As a design leader, empathy extends beyond users - it’s about understanding and supporting your team. Effective managers know how to assess the capabilities of their team, address skill gaps, and build trust through open dialogue and positive feedback. They also understand that having a compelling, shared vision is crucial to success, as it allows everyone to stay focused, prioritize well, and deliver results. Great UX leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about creating the conditions where the right questions are asked, the voices closest to the user are heard, and design becomes a catalyst for clarity, not just creativity.

Inspire through craft

A core responsibility of a mature UX team is to function as a reliable resource for consistently high quality design knowledge, understanding and output - ultimately creating amazing product experiences, not just fulfilling requirements. Caring deeply about our craft, with attention to detail and a workable knowledge of the business, earns us the trust and respect of our partners. Effective UX leaders understand the craft along with the business, and know the best solutions can help the business grow.

I’m fortunate to have worked with some of the most competent and inspiring UX designers, researchers, content strategists and leaders in the industry today.