Getting annoyed by clients is easy.

Getting annoyed by clients is easy.

Hard is making an effort to empathize with your client to understand their perspective, communicating effectively using your expertise, and working together to find common ground that ultimately benefits their product and business.

Show up to strategy and resourcing meetings. Explain your rationale behind design decisions. Make a business case. Take your clients on a journey; help them learn from you, and learn from them. Take time to listen to their stories. Help them understand risks, assumptions, and tradeoffs. Don't just dismiss their strategy, help them find a better one. Tell them why your process is important and how it will help their business succeed. Help them understand what they need and what their customers need.

The world doesn't owe you a seat at the table just because everyone else is saying design is important. You need to earn it.

That is your job.