The Power of a Simple, Earnest Conversation

In instructional design, we often find ourselves wrapped up in complex processes, formal reviews, scheduled meetings, and structured assessments. We rely heavily on surveys, evaluation forms, and meticulously documented feedback cycles—all valuable tools, certainly—but they miss something crucial.

There's simply no substitute for a straightforward, earnest conversation.

Informal conversations—those brief, genuine chats with learners, SMEs, team members, and executives—have unparalleled power. A quick, sincere 15-minute talk often provides far richer insights than a dozen structured questionnaires or lengthy meetings ever could.

Here's the difference: formality often strips sincerity from responses. The moment we formalize interactions with rigid agendas or strict survey questions, we risk losing the honest, spontaneous reactions that reveal what our stakeholders truly think and feel.

Try something simple. Set aside the surveys, forms, and frameworks occasionally and just talk. Ask casually, earnestly, and sincerely:

• "How do you feel about how things are going so far?"
• "What do you think about the direction we're taking?"
• "Is there anything worrying you right now?"
• "What's working well for you, and what's frustrating?"

A short, informal 15-minute chat can yield more meaningful, actionable insights than hours spent parsing survey data. Why? Because the goal isn't simply to elicit information—it's to genuinely connect.

Real conversations uncover genuine aspirations, anxieties, expectations, and motivations in ways formalized tools often can't. Informal chats humanize interactions, build trust, and create an authentic sense of collaboration.

Remember, instructional design is about people. Don’t let formality obscure your view. Prioritize sincere human conversations, and you'll design experiences that resonate more deeply, feel more relevant, and ultimately, create better outcomes for everyone involved.