Diffusing a Toxic Workplace
Role: Instructional Designer and eLearning Developer
Tools: Articulate Rise, Storyline 360, Google Docs, Canva
Origins: This project originally began in a therapist's office. Dr. Gottman was a marriage counselor who discovered four toxic traits that he used to predict divorce with 95% accuracy. The audience for this design shifted midway through the project from married couples to a workplace environment based on research I found on toxic work cultures. This shift led to design changes after the first iteration.
Challenge: According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) 2019 report “The High Cost of a Toxic Workplace Culture,” most American employees have worked in a toxic workplace. Almost a quarter have worked in more than one.
Course Outline
Data Analysis: The Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) 2019 report “The High Cost of a Toxic Workplace Culture,” almost two-thirds of American employees report that they have at some time worked in a toxic workplace. And if that number wasn’t bad enough, 26% of those employees report that they have worked in more than one toxic workplace. A toxic workplace culture will reduce productivity, prevent positive long-term relationship building, impact employee wellness, increase absenteeism and reduce profits.
Design: I begin my instructional design with an overview of the final goal, measurable objectives, and an assessment plan. With this outline in place, I make any changes based on stakeholder feedback, then begin my storyboard.
Tools: Google Docs
Time: 2 hours
Design: To assist learners in achieving the objective of Milestone 1, I developed an infographic to expose learners to these concepts in an easy reference guide. This infographic went through 3 iterations based on feedback from peers and an Instructional Design coach. I picked this color design because I want this training to attract a diverse audience. I transferred these colors and branding into the Rise course.
Tools: Canva
Time: 3 hours
Storyboard
Design: As an eLearning Designer, I understand the importance of designing for your development tool. I used my understanding of Articulate Rise to implement many high engagement strategies, and powerful memory techniques to ensure the learner would remember and apply the content.
I've also worked in toxic work environments and understand the need for team members to be equipped with strong language they can use to appropriately label and call out toxic behaviors. We also need positive replacement techniques so we don't perpetuate toxic reactions.
Tools: Google Docs
Time: 5 hours
Development: In this course, learners will be able to identify and call out four toxic, reactive behaviors. Learners will then be able to replace them with positive, psychologically safe behaviors.
Solution: Employees and Managers need tools to name toxic behaviors and reinforce replacement behaviors.
Tools: Articulate Rise
Time: 15 hours
Implementation: I chose to supplement the Rise materials with activities using Storyline 360. These can be shared as quick reminders and sent out to employees' in a regular review cycle to reinforce long-term memory, and generalization of the skills.
Tools: Articulate Storyline 360
Time: 30 minutes
Implementation: To increase retention, provide practice and improve generalization and culture change, I developed supplementary activities that can be reviewed quickly on employees' phones. Quick refreshers go a long way to changing the culture.
Tools: Articulate Storyline 360
Time: 45 minutes