Illuminated Leadership Plan

There's an African proverb that most people quote when working together in a group,

If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.

While the origins of the quote are still up for debate, its merits hold true. I have always been the type of person who, when a problem is found, or an adjustment needs to be made, or simply when content or processes are outdated and I know there’s a better way of doing things, I immediately want to fix or change it. Moving quickly when a better solution presents itself is natural to me, so it was challenging to reign in my instinct to update or improve things immediately, especially when I have the skills and expertise already.

However, while taking the Learning Design Leadership course at Michigan State University, I've come to appreciate the broader context that shapes those decisions. One of the main challenges a leader can face is enacting change. Change is not a process to be taken lightly, and it requires a well thought out plan that includes the right amount of buy in and all the elements from Tim Knoster’s Matrix of Change. Meaningful change is only possible with collective alignment.

A New Foundation

Before an idea for redesign is even introduced, a firm foundation is needed, starting with leadership styles. The kind of leadership, in my opinion, that creates real change is a form of empathetic leadership: psychological safety, honesty, patience, and the willingness to hear different opinions. However, those may not be skills that everyone has. Thus, a major part of the Illuminated Leadership Plan (ILP) is ensuring that everyone starts on common ground.

My vision leans on authentic experiential learning and helping people connect ideas to real world contexts (Kolb, 2025). To move away from traditional learning, people need a shared understanding. That is why I created a five week empathy course that can support any project that needs a mindset shift or stronger team understanding. Empathy isn't the only soft skill that's needed when designing, but it's a great start. As needed other professional development courses should be utilized to build a strong foundation for change.

Once the foundation has been laid then the project can commence. I wanted to create a learning experience that was intentional, engaging, and grounded in practices that support how adults learn. The goal was not just to redesign content, but to design an experience that feels meaningful and connected to the real work learners do. By centering empathy, authentic practice, and shared understanding, the redesign becomes a collaborative process that strengthens the team and prepares everyone to move forward with purpose. View the full project scope here.

My Vision

At the ChangSchoolTalks conference in 2016, James Paul Gee stated, “I believe that people learn from experience. But I don’t think they learn from experience because you put them in one. They have to be well designed and well mentored experiences.” My vision for the future of learning experience design is trifold and it builds on the foundations of what has worked in the past and what learners state they need now in the training programs they take part in.

1. Creating training that mirrors real world scenarios

2. Offering more informal ways for learners to practice

3. Shifting how people think about learning and retention

With this vision and foundation in place, the ILP moves from idea to action through scope, design, and thoughtful evaluation.

Evaluation

Lastly, evaluation is a key part of the ILP because it allows the team to understand what worked, what needs to be refined, and how learning is actually being transferred. My evaluation approach aligns with the Kaufman's Model of Learning, which is a more in depth version of Kirkpatrick's model, because it goes beyond surface level reactions and focuses on the impact of learning at multiple levels.

My Illuminated Leadership Plan reflects the belief that meaningful change can happen with far less pushback when the right structure and support are in place. By building a strong foundation, leading with empathy, and designing with real world practice in mind, the ILP brings my vision to life in a practical and sustainable way. My hope is that this approach strengthens the learning experience and creates a more collaborative, informed, and empowered community of learners and leaders moving forward together.

This blog post has been lightly edited for clarity and formatting using AI (ChatGPT). All ideas, content, and reflections are fully my own.

References:

ChangSchool (2016, July 25). Learning and Games - James Paul Gee | ChangSchoolTalks 2016. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-zSKTV5Qxk&t=25s

Kolb, L. (2025, July 1). Learning by Doing in the Digital Age. ASCD. https://ascd.org/el/articles/learning-by-doing-in-the-digital-age