Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Exit Interview #4: From Product Design Leadership to Sound Healing
This video is featured in the Exit Interviews playlist.
Summary
Her story is not about leaving ambition behind, but about redefining success—trusting discernment, and choosing work that feels sustainable not just intellectually, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well.
Key Insights
-
•
Prolonged stress and undiagnosed illness were key factors prompting Mary Lynn's departure from UX leadership.
-
•
A retreat for women design leaders exposed Mary Lynn to energy healing, which catalyzed her career pivot.
-
•
Experience in leadership roles enriched Mary Lynn’s communication skills, aiding her transition to wellness coaching.
-
•
'Data-driven' design practices increasingly prioritize company goals over authentic user needs, diminishing job satisfaction.
-
•
Women leaders in tech often face pressure to conform to masculine behavioral norms, leading to a lack of mentorship and support.
-
•
Starting a wellness business required significant personal financial investment and lifestyle adaptation, including relocating to a smaller city.
-
•
Stepping away from UX design can heighten awareness of the impact of constant interface changes on users, especially older adults.
-
•
Imperfect, authentic content is gaining value in the age of AI-generated, overly polished digital experiences.
-
•
Career transitions can feel isolating as previous social networks shift, but new communities form in aligned interest areas.
-
•
Trusting intuition and taking oneself seriously are crucial pieces of advice for anyone considering leaving UX or tech for a new venture.
Notable Quotes
"What is it they say about death? It's not a door closing, it's a door opening."
"I couldn't be as good at this job if I hadn’t been in those leadership roles."
"I walked into the building and it just felt surreal. It didn’t feel right in my body to be there anymore."
"I wanted to be in a place where I was making people feel better, not worse."
"There was an expectation for you to behave like a man, but when you do, you're criticized for being aggressive."
"Decisions based on clicks can be detrimental to the user because they favor company goals, not user needs."
"The universe will absolutely provide if it’s the right thing for you."
"I put most of my retirement savings into making this happen because I didn’t think I was going to survive otherwise."
"The sloppier you are, the more real you’re looking in the age of AI content."
"Meditation isn’t about stopping thinking, it’s about becoming aware of thinking."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Always communicate next steps, timelines, and delays honestly with candidates; they will appreciate it and stay engaged."
Corey LongHiring in DesignOps: A Critical Study on How to Hire and Get Hired
September 23, 2024
"I see designers fall back on being the defender of the user like a union boss, but that’s not your only responsibility."
Gretchen AndersonScaling the Human Center
June 8, 2017
"Boldness is only possible and enabled by generosity. Generosity means empathy, collaboration, and transparency."
Lori Muszynski Peter MerholzKeeping Design Weird
October 2, 2023
"Remote testing helps get closer to real-world results because users are in environments customized for them."
Sam ProulxSUS: A System Unusable for Twenty Percent of the Population
June 9, 2021
"Sometimes you have to completely change your research questions after building relationships with the community."
Prayag Narula Rida QadriHCI 2.0: Humanity Deserves the Attention that UX Research has to Offer
March 28, 2023
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
Deanna SmithLeading Change with Confidence: Strategies for Optimizing Your Process
September 23, 2024
"Empathic data is the most accessible starting point for people who are not trained researchers."
Lija HoganDoing more with more: Lessons from the Front Lines of Democratization
March 9, 2022
"Accessibility was just a clever trick that some charitable organization or someone who wanted to give back would do almost for fun."
Sam ProulxTo Boldly Go: The New Frontiers of Accessibility
March 11, 2022
"A little color purple to start the day. Good morning."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
October 3, 2023
