“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael at Allstate for the last 18 months. Here’s but a short list of why he’s a super person to work with: * People focused: Yes, in UX we’re all “user” focused. What makes Michael stand out is that he chooses not *just* to empathize with users, but to also expend the energy it takes to empathize with the people he works with. He really cares what his team members are doing, thinking, feeling, saying—bringing some serious humanity to human-centered design at Allstate. * Inclusive practitioner: Being people focused, it’s no surprise he practices design in a very inclusive way. He wears no UX cape, but instead builds the most welcoming forums for *all* members of a team to contribute to the design of an experience. Developers, SMEs, project managers, fellow designers: you’ll find them all in the design critiques and studios he hosts, where he puts in the effort to make sure everyone feels comfortable contributing. * Growth mindset: Michael is always reading and finding new methods and approaches—ultimately, to improve the likelihood that his work achieves outcomes. Beyond just *knowing* about the new, he is skilled at quickly taking what he’s learned and incorporating it into his design practice.”
About
Michael J. Metts is the founder of Leading Like You, which is dedicated to bringing a new…
Experience
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Education
Volunteer Experience
-
Founder
Content UX Slack Group
- 3 years 8 months
Created a Slack group for professionals who work at the intersection of content and user experience, with over 9,000 members worldwide. I passed ownership of the group to Jess Sand in late 2018.
-
Youth Worker, Photography Instructor
The Salvation Army
- 9 months
Children
I joined a four-member team of volunteers dedicated to serving the youth population of Visby, Sweden. I taught a photography class to middle school students and worked in the weekly youth café. I also regularly visited schools to develop relationships with youth.
Honors & Awards
-
Roaring Lambs Scholarship
-
The Roaring Lambs Scholarship was established 2000 to benefit students going into the visual arts, journalism or communications fields.
Recommendations received
17 people have recommended Michael
Join now to viewOther similar profiles
Explore more posts
-
Darren Hood, MSUXD
Resharing Episode 211 of The World of UX. Ever heard someone say "Stop drinking the Kool-aid?" This metaphoric statement refers to a tragic event in American history where people either blindly or through coercion ingested something self-detrimental. Check out this episode to learn how and why this metaphor applies to UX today. https://spoti.fi/3KkIbs3
-
Mollie Cox ⚫️
🔥Hot Take for PMs: Please don't hand me a solution to a problem. Instead, focus on detailing the problem and help me understand the why. We will ideate and find a solution together. Next week, in our first episode of ⚫️Bounce, Claire and I continue to unpack the PD PM working relationship. Buckle up. Subscribe today - links in comments 👇
23 Comments -
Jeremy Bird 🇺🇸🇧🇷
If I were to start a UX team at a small company (again)—now that I’ve worked at Fortune 50 companies—I’d do one thing very different. I’d match the job titles and role criteria I’ve seen large companies use. Calling a player/coach with 2 direct reports a “Director” or “VP” or an IC designer with 2-3 years experience capable of being the solo designer a project a “senior” is doing those people and the company a disservice. You might not need a Lead, Principal, Director, or VP yet. That’s ok. But being clear on what level person you need AND the criteria/experience that justifies someone at that level (and the corresponding pay) is crucial as companies scale and as individuals move on to other companies. An elevated title isn’t a “benefit”. It can actually be a major setback. To both companies and individuals. A “Director” at a Fortune 50 company shouldn’t have different experience criteria than a startup. If you are a startup that is hiring their first designer or design leader and doesn’t know how to hire for the appropriate role, reach out. I can help. Don’t make the same mistake. #Hiring #OrgDesign #UX
10 Comments -
Kae Anderson, CPACC
Accessibility and inclusive design friends - what are your favorite videos to refer people to or use as resources? A lot of the things I use as references are articles or websites, and that means people who learn better from videos aren’t getting information in a way that works for them. If you have videos you recommend then I'd love to hear about them! Anything in the inclusive design or accessibility field is fine - they can be on any topic, for any audience, and they can be short or long. #Accessibility #A11y #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveDesign
8 Comments -
Chris Becker, MFA
Wow, it is nice to see some of the impact the course I authored with Designlab is having on teams both big and small. Emilyann Gachko thank you for sharing this case study and how it was received by the team at The Home Depot :) If you are interested in increasing your design skills through #usability and #accessibility check out the course. #ux #design #hcd https://lnkd.in/gEdC3NBV
-
Saeed Ghayoomieh
The hype around AI often overlooks its fundamental flaws and ethical concerns. It's alarming how much faith is placed in technology that struggles with accuracy, relies on dubious sources, and has a significant environmental impact. As UX professionals, we need to address these issues head-on and advocate for more responsible development and use of AI. Our role is becoming increasingly crucial, not just in designing better products but in steering the tech industry towards a more human-centered approach.
-
Jaynish Shah
Lately I've been putting my writing skills to test and I've built a no-frills website to surface these. My first blog post discusses my journey from being a generalist to a design system specialist. Feel free to read, critique, and maybe even enjoy it a little :) #productdesign #designsystem #careergrowth
-
Jake Strawn
Wow, spot on… Also consider the complexity of a “design system factory” product intended to offer design system stability to the diverse clientele of a consultancy with vastly unique clients, all with critically important needs. I often describe(d) the design tokens and design system as the CENTER of the tech ecosystem, or at minimum on par with the most critical data APIs. Few were ready for what that would cost. Financially, technically and emotionally. #outofwork
-
Thomas Stokes
My recent analysis of UX research job descriptions uncovered some interesting findings about work location, including: 1) About 50% of UXR job postings are remote. 2) There were some hiring hotspots in areas you might not expect, like IL, TX, and MO. It will be interesting to see how these findings change over time. Each of these points is a snapshot in time, capturing hiring from late 2023-> early 2024. The full article contains detailed findings: https://lnkd.in/efiTZPDZ
11 Comments -
Louis Rosenfeld
Big news: we're publishing a second edition of "The User Experience Team of One" in late August. Joe Natoli has updated and expanded on the much-loved first edition by Leah Buley, which came out in 2013. UXTOO is truly a classic, the go-to book for those starting out or needing a concise #UX refresher over the past decade. The original edition, a svelte 264 pages, punched well above its weight, and Joe's updated edition, about 20% longer, maintains the original's compact elegance. Slated for an August 27 launch, you can pre-order now at 15% off. Who do you know that could benefit from a great UX toolkit? Please tag them below! More info/link to order in first comment.
40 Comments -
Julie Hyunjoo Lee
I'd like to share some valuable lessons that have completely transformed the way I approach communications. Plus, I've added some tips for product designers and design partners. 💡Case 1: Answer the Question I thought I knew how to answer questions until I got this feedback: "When an executive asks you a question, start with a clear 'yes' or 'no', or state 'I don't know, but I will get back to you by X date'." While variations exist, the key is to answer the question first. Too much information usually doesn't help - Answer the question, then let them ask probing questions. This advice resonated with me so much that I created a desktop wallpaper to look at it every day. 🤝 Case 2: Manage Meeting Effectively Another tip I learned is how to manage meetings. Based on tips from mentors and coworkers, here are three essential points to remember: 1. Why we are here: Ensure every meeting has a clear purpose. No one has time for irrelevant meetings. 2. What we aim to achieve: Clearly define the meeting's objectives. 3. What decisions we will make: Identify decision-makers and criteria. Applying this to design meetings, merely sharing in-progress designs often lacks value. Instead, structure the meeting to: 1. Clearly define the meeting's purpose and type: For example, specify if it’s a review and instruct people on the type of review you need. 2. Clarify the objectives: Are we finalizing designs to send to engineering, or aligning on problem statements with products? 3. Identify decision-makers and criteria for decisions: Then, make a decision. Of course, in both cases, summarize the outcome of the meetings and share it right away. ✨ Case 3: Clarify Expectations At workplaces, confusion and fires happen. Sometimes you're not sure what's going on. You don't want to overpromise or overstep, but you need to know what action is required. When I heard this question "What am I accountable for?" in the middle of a foggy meeting, my brain just cleared. Yes. We need clear ownership and accountability to navigate ambiguous situations. It was a sentence that resonated with me, and I still remember how we were able to move on to the next steps. To build on this, I also advise my partners to communicate their asks clearly. I hear a variety of design requests. Some people articulate their asks with intended outcomes, expectations, and timelines, while others just share desires and disappear. Clarity in your asks is key—it's almost a job requirement. Remember, others can't read your mind. If you believe in your idea, it's important to articulate it clearly. #CommunicationTips #ProductDesign #DesignPartnerships
6 Comments
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Michael Metts in United States
-
Michael Metts
-
Michael Metts
I am vaccinated and ready to continue Producing Corporate and Artistic Events and Stage Managing Corporate and Artistic Events, Eager and ready to go!!!!
-
Michael Metts
-
Michael Metts
Instructor/Facilitator
23 others named Michael Metts in United States are on LinkedIn
See others named Michael Metts