After 25 years in the industry last year, I made the decision to strike out on my own as a Learning & Development Consultant. My decision was based on more than a few factors, not least of which was my experiences as an Sr. Instructional Designer and ISD Manager in my last three positions. I found myself going from one vastly different work environment to the next trying to find the circle hole where they all seemed made for square pegs.
I knew what I wanted from the work; autonomy over my work, the opportunity to mentor and lead less experienced designers, and the freedom to create authentically effective learinng content, strategies, and experiences. Intellectually that list seemed like it would make me a good fit for almost any ISD position in corporate. What I found in each of my last three positions however was that finding a place that would truly appreciate all of that would be next to impossible. Finding myself in this poisition though is what helped me to find my voice as an Instructional Design Consultant.
What do I mean when I talk of my 'voice' as an ISD Consultant? Well given how many freelance Instructional Designers are out there, and given the number of teachers who are daily leaving school systems to join this field, your voice is what will set you apart from the crowd. Your voice is what makes you unique, and what makes a particular company or individual choose to work with you. Now I have worked in places where the automatic assumption is that the cost is the primary determinate of that choice. I don't subscribe to that idea though. I believe that when presented with quality options, companies will become more educated on what they should look for from an Instructional Designer and will begin seeking to work with ISDs whose 'voice' aligns with their own.
For me, my frustrations in corporate clearly pointed to my voice as a consultant.
Frustrated at the inability to create authentically effective content?
Adherence to ADDIE and beginning by building a foundation with Analysis are one leg of the tripod that makes up my voice.
Frustrated at the subjective nature of so many decisions around learning strategies?
Leaning heavily on learning theories old and new, including '5 Moments of Need' and Bloom's Tad xonomy make up my second leg.
Frustrations alone weren't my guidance system for finding my voice. I also looked to my passions, and the one that led me to this career was probably the most important to address. I have a passion for learning AND teaching. I realized that despite the fact that I was still learning and creating teaching content, part of my being the best ISD I could be was mentoring and sharing with those who were interested. This too is apart of my voice as a consultant in that I look at every project from the vantage point of how to leave the Learning & Development communities I am intereacting with better for the experience.
When I work with individuals in personal path and passion coaching we always look to personal passions AND frustrations as indicators.
What can you learn about your own Instructional Design Consultant voice from yours?
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