What’s it really like inside a UX consultancy? In this special in-house episode of UX Leadership by Design, Mark Baldino sits down with two incredible Fuzzy Math teammates — Senior Designer Madeleine Byrne and Senior Project Manager Jaléssa Savage — to talk about what UX leadership looks like from the inside out.
They unpack how projects are structured, how cross-functional teams communicate, and how empathy, clarity, and constraints shape successful outcomes. From wrangling stakeholders to making smart design trade-offs, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at how Fuzzy Math keeps projects human, impactful, and on track — with a few hot takes and laughs along the way.
Whether you’re growing into leadership or just curious how collaborative teams actually work, this one’s packed with insights and energy.
Key Takeaways:
- Balancing Empathy Across Users and Clients – True design leadership means understanding not just end-users but also the internal and external stakeholders shaping the work.
- Why Design Needs Guardrails – PMs aren’t just managing scope — they’re helping passionate designers stay focused and productive within real-world constraints.
- Visuals Are Alignment Tools, Not Just Outputs – Design artifacts aren’t just deliverables; they’re powerful tools for clarifying thinking and aligning teams.
- Stakeholder Trust Starts Early – Trust-building begins with structured project kickoffs and intentional communication — not just when the work hits Figma.
- Client Assumptions Need Evidence – Teams often bring mental models of what they want; our job is to validate, challenge, and guide them with research and strategy.
Chapters:
- 00:00 – Introducing the Fuzzy Math Team
- 00:51 – Madeleine’s Journey from Theater to UX
- 03:19 – Jaléssa’s Journey from Events to Project Management
- 05:57 – Listening and Building Trust with Clients
- 12:47 – How Fuzzy Math Project Teams Work Together
- 25:10 – Common Design Challenges and How We Handle Them
- 31:31 – Working with Clients Who Have a Mental Model
- 43:06 – Hot Takes and Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Links:
- Connect with Madeleine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-byrne-150a959a/
- Connect with Jaléssa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalessasavage/
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