Top 5 Instructional Designer Superpowers

superhero businessman looking at city skyline at sunset. the concept of success, leadership and victory in business.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane . . . nope, it’s just a Super-Awesome Instructional Designer!

Behind every ID, there’s an eclectic mix of superpowers that makes them the sought-after talent clients long to work with. I’ve summed up my ultimate top five superpowers, but you may have your own top five you’d like to share in the comments. Here we go!

1. Magical Ingenuity:

No matter what the content is, they can use their x-ray vision to scan the various materials and organize it into a course that mesmerizes the client and engages the learner. They have an innate ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative and engaging ways to present information. Creative themes, learning maps, and character scenarios are some tools they wield to making learning materials memorable and enjoyable.

Their super, computer brain allows them to analyze data and feedback to continuously improve training programs, making data-driven decisions to enhance the effectiveness of instructional materials.

Superhero Business Woman with white wall background.

2. Enchanting Eloquence:

This ID is so eloquent and charming, they could sell water to a rock. Angry, disappointed, or confrontational clients are no sweat for this ID. They possess the magical and captivating quality of being able to express ideas with charm and fluency. And, using their exceptional written and verbal communication skills, convey complex information in a clear and concise manner to clients, teammates, and colleagues. This includes strong collaboration skills to work effectively with subject matter experts, stakeholders, and other team members. If a problem arises, their Problem-Solving Prowess is triggered within and guides them in finding a solution and creating a seamless and efficient learning experience for the audience.

3. Empathetic Storytelling Empowerment:

Wait, is this is a training course…I thought I was watching a movie! This ID has a knack for understanding and empathizing with the needs and perspectives of learners and tailoring instructional content to be relatable and address diverse learning styles. Weaving compelling narratives into learning content is their jam! They know what makes a good story — from the hero to the villain, and a sprinkle of conflict — they keep the learner mystified, intrigued, and wondering what comes next.

Beautiful teen girl with glasses and in a witch costume, in a hat, with a magic wand

4. Tech Guru Mastery:

With the wave of a wand, they can quickly understand and use various software tools to their advantage. Whether it is a client’s proprietary application or platform, or tools that perfect their ID process, their tech superpowers continue to amaze. Tools such as Chat GPT, Camtasia, ProWritingAid, Canva, or Articulate assist them in enhancing the eLearning experience, creating interactive and dynamic content that resonates with multigenerational learners.

5. Time-Traveling Organizer:

The more projects the merrier! This ID has the super-ability to manipulate time, even doubling the hours in a day and days in a week! Using various tools like Google calendar, Wrike, Trello, and SmartSheet, they activate their unique time management skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality instructional materials.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it! These “superpowers” showcase the diverse and multifaceted skill set that instructional designers can possess that contributes to the success of e-learning initiatives. Each superpower plays a crucial role in creating effective and impactful learning experiences for the audience. So, I’ll leave you with this final question:

What’s your superpower?

About the Author

Cheryl Powell, CEO of Learn2Engage, is in her 28^th year as a Virtual Instructional Design and e-Learning Specialist, with clients all over the US and overseas. Additionally, she is a published author of various works of fiction and motivational speaker.

She holds a Bachelor in Business Management, a graduate certification in Project Management, a Master of Science degree in IT Project Management, and a ATD Gamification Level 1 Certificate. She has studied the Adult Learning principles of experts and theorists such as Gagne’s (nine events), Maslow’s (hierarchy of needs), and Dr. Ruth Clark, to ensure her courses, presentations, storyboards, and modules, engage the learner, utilize the proper balance of white space, text and graphics, and result in high Learner Retention rates.

Her clients return year after year for the affordable pricing, her rapid customer response rate, and the benefits they observe in the productivity of their employees after taking her courses.