In today's digital landscape, managing remote design teams has become more critical than ever. But what does it take to successfully lead UX professionals across different time zones, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds?
Wes Brown, UX Manager at AdventHealth, has spent over two decades building and scaling design teams—from his early days at Walmart's first website to managing fully remote UX teams today. His journey offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to advance in UX management or improve their remote team coordination skills.
The Foundation: Early Lessons That Shape Great Leaders
Starting with Passion and Purpose
Wes's story begins with a simple but powerful realization about following your passion. As he reflects on his early career decisions:
"If I had $10 million what would I do with my life? I reflected back on the things that I enjoyed and it was Art. If I could make a living doing art I would love to do that."
This self-reflection led him to advertising and eventually UX design. The lesson here is clear: understanding your core motivations helps you make better career decisions, even when the path isn't immediately obvious.
Learning from Unexpected Sources
One of the most striking aspects of Wes's journey is how he learned leadership principles from his father, a construction worker, and early retail experiences at Walmart:
"I was fortunate that I had a store manager that kind of gave me an opportunity to do different things and he showed me a leadership style of empowering the people around you."
Key takeaways for aspiring managers:
- Leadership lessons come from everywhere - be open to learning from any role or industry
- Empowerment over micromanagement creates stronger teams
- Taking work seriously, regardless of the role, builds credibility and opens opportunities
Career Pivots: Embracing Change in Technology
The Internet Revolution
Wes's transition from print to digital design offers a masterclass in career adaptation. When his manager at Walmart asked about "this thing called the internet," while others resisted, Wes volunteered:
"Everybody else on the team is like I don't want to do that like I want to stick with print... and I said oh I'll do it."
Why this matters for your career:
- Embrace emerging technologies when others are hesitant
- Volunteer for uncertain projects - they often lead to the biggest opportunities
- Change is inevitable in tech careers - those who adapt fastest gain competitive advantages
From Design to User Experience
Wes's evolution into UX happened organically through client work. When reviewing clunky software, he started asking:
"Have you ever put these in front of your users like have you ever asked anyone about this?"
This curiosity-driven approach led to consulting work and eventually full UX roles. The lesson: Ask better questions and let genuine curiosity guide your professional development.
Building and Managing Remote UX Teams
As UX Manager at AdventHealth, Wes has experienced the full transition from on-site to fully remote teams. This shift opened up new possibilities:
"By opening it up we found people in South Carolina, people in the DC Washington area... It has given us an opportunity to find talent outside of the Central Florida area."
Key Strategies for Remote UX Team Success
1. Expand Your Talent Pool Strategically
- Don't limit hiring to your local area
- Look for experienced professionals who can work independently
- Consider contractors and third-party vendors for specialized projects
- Build relationships across different skill levels and backgrounds
2. Focus on Team Structure and Communication
Wes manages a diverse team including:
- Graphic designers
- UX designers
- Researchers
- Both consumer and internal application specialists
Best practices for structure:
- Create clear role definitions
- Establish regular one-on-one meetings
- Implement structured team meetings
- Foster mentorship relationships within the team
3. Overcome Imposter Syndrome Through Action
Wes openly discusses his early career imposter syndrome and how he overcame it:
"I often will just take it on, look at it for what it is and what do we need, what are our goals, what do we need to accomplish and move forward from there."
Practical steps to build confidence:
- Break down complex projects into clear goals
- Share knowledge through lunch-and-learns or team presentations
- Focus on what needs to be accomplished rather than what you don't know
- Accept that stumbling is part of the learning process
Leadership Philosophy: Empowerment Over Control
Creating Psychological Safety
Wes emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where team members can take risks:
"I try to encourage them to understand that yes we will stumble and trip, there will be things that we won't get right necessarily the first time, but we can overcome those obstacles."
Effective One-on-One Meetings
While the transcript doesn't detail Wes's specific one-on-one methodology, his approach to mentoring other managers suggests a focus on:
- Regular, structured communication
- Knowledge sharing and skill development
- Creating opportunities for team members to grow
- Balancing individual development with team goals
Practical Takeaways for UX Professionals
For Individual Contributors:
- Embrace uncertainty - volunteer for new technologies or unclear projects
- Ask user-centered questions - always consider the end user's perspective
- Build diverse skills - learn both design and research capabilities
- Share your knowledge - teaching others builds your credibility and confidence
for Aspiring UX Managers:
- Start with empowerment - give team members opportunities to grow
- Focus on clear goal-setting rather than prescriptive solutions
- Build diverse, remote-friendly teams to access the best talent
- Create psychological safety for experimentation and learning
- Maintain regular communication through structured one-on-ones and team meetings
For Remote Team Leaders:
- Leverage geographic flexibility to find the right talent
- Establish clear communication rhythms to replace in-person interactions
- Focus on outcomes rather than hours worked
- Create multiple touchpoints for different types of collaboration
The Future of UX Management
Wes's journey from Walmart's first website in 1996 to managing fully remote UX teams today illustrates how much the field has evolved. His success comes from consistently:
- Adapting to technological changes
- Focusing on user needs
- Empowering team members
- Building diverse, skilled teams
- Maintaining clear communication
Conclusion: Building Your Own UX Leadership Path
Wes Brown's career demonstrates that successful UX management isn't just about design skills—it's about leadership, adaptability, and creating environments where teams can thrive. Whether you're an individual contributor looking to move into management or an experienced leader adapting to remote work, the key principles remain consistent:
Start with genuine curiosity about users and their needs. Embrace change and uncertainty as opportunities for growth. Focus on empowering others rather than controlling them. And always remember that great design happens through great teams, not just great individuals.
The transition to remote work has opened up new possibilities for building diverse, talented UX teams. By following Wes's example of strategic hiring, clear communication, and empowerment-focused leadership, you can build teams that not only survive remote work but thrive in it.
Ready to take your UX leadership skills to the next level? Start by implementing one of these strategies with your current team and see how it impacts both individual performance and team dynamics.
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