Hi! I am Aastha. I lead the UX team for Customer Engagement at Google. My team elevates customer experiences to grow Google’s business.

I have designed solutions both at boutique design studios and big corporations. I bring my experiences designing for consumers & enterprise into my passion: Leading with Mindfulness, Intuition, Creativity, and Compassion.

ON LEADERSHIP

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Journal

Dec 18, 2021

4 pillars for healthy team culture

Dec 18, 2021

It can seem daunting to take on something as ‘intangible’ sounding as improving the culture of a team. Here is one approach to address it. I look at the following 4 pillars of action when addressing team culture: Clarify, Empower, Nourish, Connect.

Dec 18, 2021

Dec 22, 2020

20 ideas for team swag that's not a vest, t-shirt, or a hoodie

Dec 22, 2020

Tired of giving or receiving t-shirts/Patagonia vests/hoodies? Here are some ideas for my favorite swag I have given or received across different price ranges.

Dec 22, 2020

May 26, 2020

Rituals for teams

May 26, 2020

Rituals are an important part of any team. They build predictability, helps bring the team members together, and set clear expectations for how we treat each other. Done right, rituals can add to the psychological safety on a team. Here are some rituals I have implemented on teams I have managed over the years:

May 26, 2020

May 22, 2020

The four focus areas for a UX Manager

May 22, 2020

Everyone is busy, and I am sure so are you. As UX Managers, how could we ensure that we are focused on the critical tasks even if they are not urgent? I use this framework for thinking about my various responsibilities. I look at them weekly, quarterly, and annually.

May 22, 2020

MY VALUES

Invest in people

Focusing on each unique individual makes for a stronger, more connected team.

PROACTIVE CAREER MANAGEMENT

PRIORITIZING WELL-BEING

CELEBRATING LIFE MILESTONES

CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER DURING TOUGH TIMES

Inspire through craft

Practicing our craft with an obsessive attention to detail and deep knowledge of the business earns us the trust and respect of our partners.

BUSINESS IQ IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

THINK BIG AND OWN THE VISION

RIGOROUS RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSES ARE MISSION-CRITICAL

GOOD STORYTELLING MATTERS

Xfn team first

Our goals and our PM+Eng partners’ goals are one and the same. No walled gardens.

INVOLVE XFN EARLY AND OFTEN

MAKE DECISIONS TOGETHER

COLLABORATION OVER HEROISM

XFN’L RITUALS AND SEATING

My management style

I created this doc as a manager read me to share with my team. If we are currently talking and you’re evaluating whether you’d like to work with me, this might help you decide one way or another.

Hi, I am Aastha! April 2020

Recent public sightings

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I talked to Harrison about my story—how I got into UX Design and leadership, how my team works at Google, and how I maintain balance in my life.

Listen

Aastha Gaur Hireworthy podcast — I chatted with the fine folks over at Hireworthy about how I lead based on my values.

LISTEN

Aastha Gaur UX Leadership Roundtable — I participated in an Industry Roundtable hosted by Sidharth on Women in UX Leadership

WATCH

I wrote tips for beginner designers just starting their first job.

READ

GET IN TOUCH

I live in Los Angeles with my husband, and our two doggos; Gustave & Rumi.