Ep 182: Donovan - Using UX Principles to Boost Career Growth

This is episode #182 of EGN Leadership Conversations: The Untold Secrets of the C-Suite by Nick Jonsson, and we are pleased to welcome Donovan Tan, Founder & CEO of Loupe Asia. In this insightful episode, Donovan shares his expertise on how User Experience (UX) principles—typically used in designing intuitive digital products—can be powerfully applied to boost career growth and professional effectiveness.

Donovan begins by unpacking the fundamentals of UX and explaining how the same principles that help designers build seamless user interactions can become powerful tools for navigating your professional journey. He highlights how UX is rooted in understanding people, identifying needs, solving problems, and reducing friction—skills that are equally essential for workplace success, leadership, and long-term career development.

Throughout the conversation, Donovan dives into the art of creating smooth experiences, not just for customers, but also for colleagues, managers, and stakeholders. He shares how practicing empathy, active listening, and thoughtful communication can help professionals stand out, build trust, and influence more effectively. These human-centered skills, Donovan says, are pivotal not only in crafting digital interfaces but also in navigating complex corporate environments and fast-changing industries.

Donovan also explores how adopting a UX mindset helps professionals approach challenges with curiosity rather than frustration. By framing obstacles as “design problems,” individuals can develop more structured, creative solutions and become valuable contributors to any organization.

Listeners will also learn how UX principles can guide better decision-making, from analyzing feedback to iterating personal habits and workflows. Donovan emphasizes that careers, like digital products, thrive through continuous improvement, mindful experimentation, and a deep understanding of human behavior.

Whether you're a designer, leader, young professional, or someone looking for unconventional ways to accelerate your growth, this episode offers fresh, practical insights that can reshape the way you approach your work.

Tune in to uncover how thinking like a UX designer can help you build a more intentional, impactful, and fulfilling career.

Contact Donovan Tan to collaborate with him:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovantan/

Visit our website to find more podcast  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nickjonsson.com/leadership-conversations-the-untold-secrets-of-the-c-suite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠