This episode of Accessible Disruption features Aga (Agnieszka) Szóstek, an author of "The Umami Strategy" and "Leadership by Design," who shares her journey into experience design and strategic thinking. She describes how her background in user system interaction and industrial research led her to focus on the "experience of things" beyond technical problems. Szóstek highlights the frustration she encountered when businesses viewed experiences as mere add-ons rather than strategic differentiators, prompting her to develop and document "The Umami Strategy" to help companies integrate experience design at a strategic level.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around the challenges of change within organizations, particularly the human brain's natural resistance to it due to perceived energy costs and psychological safety concerns. Szóstek emphasizes that in complex systems, especially those involving people, experimentation is the only way to understand what will work in the future, as past successes do not guarantee future outcomes. She advocates for "nano-experiments" in leadership and organizational change, suggesting that small, consistent changes are less daunting and allow for continuous learning and adaptation without triggering strong negative reactions to large-scale transformations.

Furthermore, Szóstek discusses the application of experience design to leadership, noting that many leaders lack clarity on the type of leader they aspire to be. Her book, "Leadership by Design," aims to guide leaders through a process of self-reflection and questioning rather than prescribing an ideal leadership style. She stresses the importance of commitment, accountability, and consistent "nano-experiments" for leaders to evolve intentionally. For organizations serious about experience design, she advises a foundational approach that includes a clear strategy, robust processes, and developed competencies to ensure successful and lasting change.