Instructor-led Training Materials

Case Study

Executive Summary

I created a 60-minute instructor-led training designed to help college-aged leaders explore growth mindset through the familiar and relatable structure of the Hero’s Journey. Using characters like Harry Potter, Frodo, T’Challa, Moana, and similar, the session made personal development feel intuitive, and relevant to students’ lived experiences. The goal was to help participants identify where they are in their own leadership journey, recognize the mindset patterns shaping their growth, and leave with practical insights they could apply immediately.

Challenge

Young leaders often struggle to connect abstract leadership concepts, like mindset, resilience, and personal growth, to their real lives. Traditional workshops can feel too theoretical, leading to low engagement and surface-level reflection. Additionally, the client needed a short but high-impact session that worked for diverse college audiences and facilitators with varying experience levels. The biggest challenge was delivering meaningful transformation in just 60 minutes while ensuring active engagement.

Solution Journey

I selected the Hero’s Journey as the core framework because it’s universal, story-driven, and naturally aligned with growth mindset. I evaluated several approaches, including case studies and strengths-based activities, but chose a narrative model for its emotional resonance and accessibility. I designed a flexible facilitator guide, participant workbook, stage definitions, and forced-choice discussion prompts that made reflection simple and engaging. Constraints included limited time, mixed group sizes, and the need for examples beyond traditional Western heroes, which led me to intentionally feature diverse characters. Key challenges included balancing depth with pacing and ensuring prompts sparked meaningful reflection; these were addressed through careful scripting, iteration, and content simplification.

Results & Key Learnings

The final training delivered a clear, memorable learning experience that helped participants identify their current “stage” in their leadership journey and reflect on how a growth mindset supports progress. Success can be measured through engagement during discussions, facilitator feedback on ease-of-use, and participant reflections captured in the guide. Early responses indicated strong connection to the character examples, improved self-awareness, and a greater willingness to lean into challenges.

Key takeaways:

  • Story-based learning creates faster, deeper engagement than abstract theory.

  • Inclusive character choices help more participants see themselves in the content.

  • Short, well-structured sessions can deliver meaningful insight when supported by strong facilitation tools.