UX Fika Podcast #4: Andy Budd on Leaving Clearleft, Taking A Serendipity Break, and Learning To Fly and Cave Dive
In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I sit down with Andy Budd – designer, investor, coach, and founder of Clearleft and conferences such as dConstruct, UX London, and Leading Design.
Andy’s been a defining voice in the UX and design leadership community and in this episode he shares the story of why, after 15 years, he decided to hand over the reins of the company he built and step into a new, more uncertain chapter. We talk about what led to that moment, how Clearleft became an employee-owned business, and what it means to intentionally walk away from something you love in search of something new.
We also talk about how the pandemic reshaped his thinking on remote work and collaboration, and why asynchronous communication might be the most underappreciated design tool in the industry.
But this episode, which is from 2021, also takes a few wild turns, from talking about learning to fly to cave diving in Mexico and shark wrangling on the Great Barrier Reef. Andy shares what flying and diving in high-risk environments has taught him about leadership, self-awareness, and staying calm under pressure, plus one of the more challenging jobs he’s ever done.
It’s a conversation about reinvention, letting go, finding clarity through discomfort – and how boredom might actually be a creative advantage.
☕️ Why he loves going form one cafe to another, afternoon tea and something chocolatey as his favourite fika
🌟 Why you shouldn’t over index on the past or the future
What we cover:
00:00 Intro
03:00 Navigating Company Culture in a Remote Environment
08:08 Adapting Business Strategies During the Pandemic
25:46 Embracing Change: Leaving Clearleft
31:36 Making Clearleft an Employee Owned Business
37:13 Reflections on Leadership and Responsibility
38:37 Embracing Change and New Beginnings
39:45 The Importance of a Serendipity Break
41:13 Exploring Future Opportunities
46:37 The Thrill of Flying and Personal Growth
58:14 Diving into Adventure: Scuba and Cave Diving
01:09:37 Navigating Risks and Life Lessons
01:14:13 Living in the Moment: Life Advice and Philosophy
Where to find Andy:
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:
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