Sr. Director, UX
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I was interviewed for this post titled, "Google’s Aastha Gaur On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Uncertain & Turbulent Times”
Technically Speaking
I talked with Harrison on the Technically Speaking pod about my story—how I got into UX Design and leadership, how my team works at Google, and how I maintain balance in my life. This became the #1 downloaded episode for the year.
MBR Journal
I co-authored an article in Management Business Review for their special edition release of AI in Customer Engagement discussing how my team has had customer and business impact using a mix of Human + Artificial Intelligence.
My leadership philosophy
I prioritize understanding user needs and designing solutions that address those needs, while fostering empathy within my team. I appreciate diverse perspectives, cultural nuances, and assembling exceptional teams that surpass expectations. As a leader, I am intuitive, mindful, and creative, focusing on helping others discover and develop their unique strengths. Through mentorship and sponsorship, I aim to make a difference in the lives of those I guide, while exchanging ideas and shaping the future with fellow leaders.
My ‘why’
My 'why' stems from a deep passion for understanding and connecting with people. I am driven to create exceptional user experiences that make a meaningful impact on the lives of our users. By being relentlessly user-centric, I believe we can not only deliver outstanding business outcomes but also foster a sense of belonging and delight among the people we serve.
I believe in nurturing the visionaries of tomorrow by helping them discover and develop their unique strengths, fostering a more inclusive and innovative future. Ultimately, my purpose is about championing empathy, diversity, and user-centric solutions that inspire and empower others to join me in shaping a better future together.
How I work
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I am a firm advocate for taking calculated risks, as I believe it fosters innovation and growth. Encouraging my team to step out of their comfort zones and experiment with new ideas is a priority. I create a supportive environment where team members feel empowered to take risks. By promoting this mindset, I aim to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and inspire my team to push the boundaries of what's possible.
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Executing at scale requires a keen focus on what's truly important and the ability to move with speed. As a leader, I emphasize the need for setting clear priorities and ensuring that the team is aligned on our goals. I foster a culture of rapid decision-making, where we quickly identify and address any roadblocks or challenges. By streamlining our processes and promoting open communication, we can swiftly adapt to changes and capitalize on opportunities as they arise. This approach allows us to deliver impactful results at scale while staying agile and responsive to the ever-evolving demands of the industry.
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I firmly believe in the "disagree and commit" approach. It's essential to engage in healthy debates with each other and me. However, once a decision is reached, everyone should commit to it, regardless of their initial position. I'll make it clear when I'm expressing an opinion rather than a final decision, and I'll also clarify when something is, in fact, a decision. Remember not to consider my opinion as the last word, especially when you're the expert in the matter.
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I'm known for having strong opinions, but I also embrace open-mindedness and welcome the opportunity to learn and possibly change my stance. If I don't hold an opinion on a specific topic, I'll be upfront about it, and I won't deceive you. I enjoy playing devil's advocate to thoroughly examine ideas, whether they're mine or someone else's, ensuring a well-rounded perspective.
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I hold the conviction that managers play a significant role in shaping an individual's career and should actively guide its progress. My aim is to align people's interests, their growth areas, customer needs, and business requirements, and I've been largely successful in this endeavor. I have created tools to aid in performance evaluations and facilitate career discussions.
“Aastha is the complete package and invaluable on any team. The common theme in all her work is intelligence matched with elegance, which results in a smooth yet exciting user experience.”
—Thomas Kelley, Disney Imagineer
Recent posts
If you’re a leader who is struggling to find their voice, I would love to help
I am currently gauging interest in a 30 min mentorship chat. If this is something that intrigues you, please sign up below to be first in line and receive a notification when we go live.