97 Things Every UX Practitioner Should Know

Chapter 38. Learn to Think like a Missionary, Not a Mercenary

Scot Briscoe

Becoming a UXer is a life calling; we have schooling and practices, yes, but it feels like much more than that. It feels to me like a sacred order.

As UX designers, we accept the responsibility (and burden) of unveiling the mystery of UX to everyone in our organizations. Because UX is so misunderstood, it’s tempting to see ourselves as mercenaries, ruthlessly cutting down anyone who we think stands in our way. Instead, our role is to be missionaries—evangelists of UX—to everyone around us. Spreading the gospel of UX is about advocating for users and advancing the cause of UX in the process.

If you work in UX, you know that our craft is equal parts science, art, behavior, and data. As a practitioner in this innovative field, you must do more than just applying tools to user stories; you also need to carry the torch of our practice.

Pitfalls of Mercenary Work

A mercenary approach to UX is not collaborative: it is often motivated by a desire to “win” and a sense of being right, often accentuated by short-term disagreements. By contrast, missionaries know the importance of short-term gains but are fundamentally driven by long-term strategic goals. To achieve those goals, missionaries strive to achieve small wins toward that future ideal state.

To that end, don’t let your idealism for doing right by the user ...