Hey Reader,

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Being the only researcher on a team can sound exciting at first. You get to build something from the ground up, shape the culture of research, and have direct influence on how decisions are made.

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But the reality is, being a team of one can also be incredibly demanding. You are not just a researcher. You sometimes are also a strategist, educator, and project manager all at once. It can stretch your creativity, your time, and sometimes even your confidence.

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If you’re thinking about stepping into that role, here’s a quick checklist I came up with to help you assess your readiness and the kind of support you’ll need to succeed.

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✨ You can get creative when resources are limited.

When you are a team of one, you often have to work within tight timelines, small budgets, and limited tooling. Creativity becomes your best asset. Can you design lightweight studies or find scrappy ways to gather insights without sacrificing quality?

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✨ You collaborate cross-functionally and think out loud.

You will need to communicate your process, invite feedback, and make your thinking visible. Collaboration is how you earn trust and build buy-in for research across your organization.

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✨ You manage end-to-end research with confidence.

From scoping to synthesis, the entire process sits with you. The ability to prioritize, plan effectively, and stay organized will determine how impactful your research can be.

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✨ You know how to manage budgets, vendors, and your own bandwidth with integrity.

Resource management is key. Knowing when to say “yes,” when to say “not yet,” and when to bring in external help ensures you deliver quality without burning out.

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✨ You’ve learned from mistakes and grown through them.

Experience teaches resilience. The best solo researchers have made mistakes before and know how to recover with clarity, humility, and better systems.

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✨ You can assess scope and communicate what’s actually possible.

You will not be able to do everything. Knowing how to define what’s feasible, communicate tradeoffs, and align expectations is what makes this role sustainable.

If you find yourself nodding as you read this, you might be ready to lead as a team of one. And if not, that’s okay too. Every researcher grows into these skills with practice and support.

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Need help getting there?

This is exactly what I help researchers do in coaching: build confidence, create systems that work, and learn how to communicate impact with clarity. Together, we can make sure you’re ready not just to survive as a solo researcher, but to thrive.

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Book a coaching session with me by replying to this email or checking out my offerings @ www.uxoutloud.com

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All the best,

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Eniola Abioye 💛

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​UXR Career Coach and Founder, UX Outloud

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PS: Forward to a friend who's in the UXR space, sharing is caring!

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