Last week, I treated myself to a new to-do list notepad.
It's simple and elegant, and while it may seem odd, it makes me feel supremely good about myself. In addition to priorities and tasks, the artist thoughtfully held space for daily gratitude and affirmations.
I actually crave organizing my work now.
I feel empowered to tackle the very tasks I once dreaded.
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When we talk about training, we often focus on the quality of the content and delivery. But what about the design of the materials?
I recently moved and painstakingly went through some heavy binders I had lugged from home to home.
For the sake of protecting the identities of these graphic-design offenders, let me just offer a reenactment of what I saw tucked away in my closet:
True confession: after taking these programs, I never once opened the binders again.
Was the content valuable? Absolutely. That's why I kept them. But the cringe factor was so high that I just hoped I could absorb the information via osmosis.
As the founder of a training company, I've learned not to underestimate the power of graphic design. It's not "icing on the cake"—it's a vital part of the experience you offer.
If you're looking to turn new managers into exceptional leaders, the above binder isn't helping your cause.
Telling someone you're excited about their leadership journey and then handing them a heavy three-ring binder that fell out of a 1995 corporate training video is called INCONGRUENT. WRONG. A CRIME AGAINST TRAINING.
I'm committed to stopping this atrocity.
For those who follow my blog or LinkedIn, you've probably heard about my manager training program launching in January 2025. What might surprise you is that I chose not to outsource any of the graphic design.
Every page of the participant guide was carefully crafted by yours truly, as I meticulously designed the visual journey. Each element was chosen with intention, guiding managers through a learning experience that hopefully feels as impactful as the content itself.
(Maybe you've seen the preview already, but can we talk about how pretty it is?!)
And just like my new notepad, this workbook isn’t just functional—it’s a tool that sparks motivation. My hope is that when managers open it, they'll feel empowered and eager to dive in (rather than calculating the available space in their coat closet to hide away their course materials).
After all, design should inspire you to want to engage. And for leaders, it should help clarify and illuminate their unique paths forward.
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What's your favorite graphic design aesthetic these days? Scroll to the very bottom and let me know what's inspiring you!
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