UX Fika Podcast #12: Jonty Sharples on Global Teams, Career Transitions, And How Design Leadership Must Adapt
In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Jonty Sharples – product, design, and business leader, and now consulting CPO working from a wooden box at the bottom of his garden. When we first spoke in 2021, Jonty was at Where Is My Transport, building products for emerging markets.
Four years later, we catch up on where he is now, what he learned from building and scaling teams across continents, why checking your privilege and context matters when working globally, and how he’s been refining his niche as a generalist with deep specialist interests.
We also dive into climbing walls, disinformation through trusted sources, the challenges of job titles, the reality of today’s hiring market, doing outreach, and how a lot of people – even the really successful ones – are struggling to find work, even if they don’t openly share.
As ever with Jonty, it’s a conversation full of sharp insights, practical lessons, and reflections on how design and leadership can (and must) adapt to change, and why writing and storytelling are underrated skills for anyone in design and leadership.
Plus:
☕️ Why black coffee is now his go to fika and not tea
⭐ Why you should surround yourself with smart people, ask questions, and listen
What we cover:
02:01 Introduction and Catching Up
02:22 Working From A Wooden Box
04:49 Reflections on Remote Work and Team Dynamics
10:56 Career Transitions and Learning Experiences
11:30 Understanding eSIM Technology and Market Dynamics
17:46 Navigating Career Breaks and Job Market Changes
20:11 Building a Niche and Consulting Strategies
27:59 Job Titles and Industry Trends
41:56 The Evolution of UX Design Roles
44:20 Leadership in Design: The Player-Coach Dilemma
45:13 The Future of Work: AI and Human Collaboration
47:44 Communication Skills in a Globalized Workforce
49:30 Navigating Change: The Impact of AI on Jobs
53:23 Education and the Role of Design in Shaping Futures
58:04 Personal Growth and Career Transitions
01:03:51 The Importance of Hiring Smart
01:09:21 Job Market Realities and Networking Strategies
Where you’ll find Jonty:
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:
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