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The #1 thing thing holding back UX researchers

(it's not what you think)

Author

Tomi Oladepo
September 09, 2025

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The hidden barrier to UXR career success

After years as a User Researcher, I've learnt something important: the biggest factor determining success beyond technical skills or research methods.

It's ego.

Now, before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Having an ego isn't inherently bad. The Collins Dictionary defines ego as someone's "sense of their own worth," and healthy self-worth is essential.

But here's the challenge: In cross-functional product teams, you're not just managing your own ego, you're navigating everyone else's too.

The difference between researchers who thrive and those who struggle often comes down to how well they handle this dynamic.

The secret to high-performing teams

Amy Edmondson's brilliant TED Talk "How to Turn a Group of Strangers into a Team"(YouTube link) reveals the three ingredients of teams that work effectively together. They are:

  • Humble – Admitting you don't have all the answers

  • Curious – Genuinely wanting to learn from others

  • Fast Learners – Quickly adapting based on new information

This "situational humility" creates psychological safety, allowing team members to drop their guard, be vulnerable, and actually learn from each other.

In Erika Hall’s essential book Just Enough Research, she echoes the same principle for researchers:

"Having the right answer feels really, really good... (but) both humility and courage are a prerequisite for learning... Don't let your approach be guided by a desire to appear smart."

And my personal favorite:

"Commit instead to continuous learning, and embrace being proven wrong as quickly as possible. An ego is a beautiful thing to incinerate."

The bottom line: Your ability to collaborate across disciplines – with designers, PMs, engineers, and stakeholders – will make or break your research impact.

Take an honest look at your workplace dynamics:

  • When was the last time you admitted you were wrong?

  • Do you ask questions even when you think you should "know better"?

  • How do you react when someone challenges your research approach?

Remember: The strongest researchers are those comfortable being proven wrong.

Till next time,

Tomi