Blog - Designed Learning

Managing your Inner Critic “All we have to do to create the future is to change the nature of our conversations, to go from blame to ownership, from bargaining to commitment, and from problem-solving to possibility.” – Peter Block, Community: The Structure of Belonging. We… Read Post

Live by The Rules You Create “The hardest thing for any of us is to live by the rules we ourselves create. It’s difficult enough to live by the rules that others create. It is brutal and fierce to live by the ones we create ourselves.” – Peter Block, The Empowered Manager:… Read Post

Say no, It’s a good thing “If you can’t say no, your yes has no meaning.” – Peter Block, Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used In a world that prioritizes a strong work ethic, success, and drive, it can feel challenging to say no. The dominant cultural narrative has been instilled in… Read Post

Possibilities from Designed Learning – June 2024 Flawless Consulting® in Florida This September and October, take advantage of a special opportunity to join us in person for Flawless Consulting® Public Workshops in sunny Cape Canaveral, Florida. Have a blast on the Space Coast and experience learnings that will help you elevate your influence and launch partnerships that… Read Post

Being Flawless in the Big Easy: Designed Learning at ATD24 Last month, the Designed Learning team headed to New Orleans for ATD24. Our experience was a refreshing return to authenticity and genuine connection, even on an expo floor dominated by high-tech solutions and flashy displays. The Association for Talent Development’s annual international expo, held at the vibrant heart of… Read Post

Being Present is Everything I was very fortunate to witness the solar eclipse in totality this week. Before this amazing celestial event, I read extensively about what would happen. I listened to presentations from scientists, naturalists, and other eclipse aficionados. I felt as if I was prepared and understood what would happen. I looked… Read Post

Flawless Consulting and Saying No by Beverly Crowell What do we say about saying no in Flawless Consulting? In a recent conversation, a client said, “My company values relationships. I worry saying no might hurt the relationships I am trying to build.” Hearing that, I asked, “So, what kind of relationships does your company… Read Post

Leader As Convener by Peter Block This article, Leader as Convener by Peter Block, is part of our Witness the Common Good series. We know that leadership matters. Traditionally, we have defined the function as visionary, role model, designer, inspiration, and voice of where we are headed. We ask our leaders to be coach,… Read Post

Possibilities from Designed Learning (Feb 2024) WHAT’S NEW The Flawless Consulting: Fieldbook & Companion, 2nd Edition coming Feb 28 In this update to the original book, published more than 20 years ago, there is 40% new content and chapter updates by the initial contributor. A must-have collection of resources for consultants everywhere, it will quickly become your… Read Post

Are You Consulting Without a Safety Net? What if we worked with clients in ways that could better leverage our expertise, foster trust sooner, galvanize stronger commitment, and make consulting more rewarding? I find these outcomes more likely occur when I weave a safety net in asking clients for what I want and voice them during contracting… Read Post