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Coaching Job Aid

Overview

The Audience

Supervisors who need to improve their communication skills with direct reports

Responsibilities

Storyboarding and concept design
Visual design and layout
Content collaboration with SME
Iterative development and revisions

Tools Used

Canva

High-LEvel

Project Summary

The Coaching Job Aid was designed as a practical and engaging resource to help supervisors improve communication with their teams. Partnering with a subject matter expert, I crafted content to address core needs and presented it in an accessible, comic-book format to encourage active engagement. All visuals and layouts were created in Canva, with this unique approach adding clarity to coaching techniques and making meaningful conversations easier to achieve. The version featured in my portfolio has been modified with generic text to protect proprietary information from the original content.

The Problem

It was found that supervisors were struggling to effectively coach their teams to reach performance goals. Although supervisors were having conversations with employees, they were not seeing the desired results, as many of these discussions lacked depth and structure. Supervisors needed guidance on how to engage in meaningful, two-way conversations that would lead to actionable outcomes.

The Solution

To address this, I developed a visually engaging, comic-book-style job aid designed to teach supervisors how to hold impactful conversations with their direct reports. Rather than presenting extensive text and examples, this format allows supervisors to quickly absorb and apply the information. The first page highlights an ineffective conversation and includes advice from a “Conversation Pro” on how to improve. A revised, meaningful dialogue follows, demonstrating an effective approach. On the second page, supervisors are guided through practice scenarios where they can map out their own responses and practice creating SMART goals.

My Process

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Planning

After being given creative freedom, I decided to design the job aid as a comic book to make it visually engaging and approachable, leveraging insights from the SME.

Development

I focused on ensuring clarity and alignment with brand colors while periodically collaborating with the SME for iterative feedback.

Feedback & Testing

The job aid underwent multiple reviews, including feedback from supervisors and legal, to refine and finalize it for effective and compliant use.

Results & Takeaways

This project highlighted the importance of iterative feedback, asset organization, and innovative design approaches to enhance user engagement and learning outcomes.

Planning

The need for the coaching job aid was identified by the SME I was paired with, who determined that a job aid would be the best solution. My role was to decide on the creative approach, and I spent the first-week brainstorming and drafting an initial mockup. Inspired to make the aid engaging and memorable, I chose a comic-book format, thinking it would capture attention and simplify the learning process. During the planning phase, I faced some initial challenges in defining the core content due to my limited familiarity with the coaching model. However, I learned to rely on the subject matter expert to ensure the job aid included the right information.

Development

My development process began with a focus on content clarity, making sure the key steps in the coaching process were clearly represented. This flow was crucial as the job aid aimed to guide supervisors through meaningful conversation techniques. After establishing the content structure, I turned to the visual design, matching the company’s brand colors and creating a comic-book layout that was both fun and functional. I frequently checked in with the SME to confirm I was on the right track, incorporating their feedback along the way. This collaborative approach allowed for refinements and ensured the aid aligned with both educational and design standards.

Feedback & Testing

Once the initial version was ready, it went through several layers of review. The SME and design manager reviewed it first, then we tested it with three supervisors who already used this coaching model. They provided minor wording feedback on the second-page scenarios, which I revised accordingly. After legal approval, incorporating a few wording adjustments, the job aid was ready for distribution. This review process helped refine the content to be as accurate and legally compliant as possible, while staying user-friendly.

Results & Takeaways

While I haven’t yet received updates on how the job aid is being used in practice, the SME was thrilled with the final product. This project reinforced the value of iterative feedback and collaboration, as early check-ins helped avoid major revisions down the line. I also learned that creating a dedicated assets page streamlined consistency across visuals, which saved time and ensured uniformity throughout the design. This experience has encouraged me to embrace innovative approaches in instructional design to make learning materials not only informative but also engaging.