Thinking Skills and Strengths for Leaders
of Innovation and Change

Leadership by Design – Thinking Skills and Strengths for Leaders of Innovation and Change™ 
is for leaders who carry responsibility for what comes next. Built for high-achieving leaders, founders, and transformation leaders, it builds the thinking capability required to lead innovation with clarity—turning vision into action, complexity into direction, and intent into change that lasts.

AI Can Think Fast. Leaders Must Think Deep.

In an era defined by AI, speed, and uncertainty, human-centered thinking is a leader’s most enduring advantage. Leadership by Design™ equips you with the six thinking skills that technology can’t replicate—clarity, creativity, discernment, empathy, and intent. Whether you’re designing culture, building strategy, or navigating change, this program meets you where you are and helps you move forward with intent. Start with the module that meets your moment, then build your complete creative leadership system.

Courses

Get Launch Updates

Early access. Program updates. No noise.
Thank you!

Redesign How You Lead. Deliver What Matters.

Across six modules, you’ll master the thinking skills behind innovation itself—Visionary, Strategic, Ideational, Evaluative, Contextual, and Tactical. Learn to think with precision, decide with clarity, and execute with intent, so your leadership drives real change, not just activity. Each module builds one core leadership muscle, together, they form the complete thinking system behind innovation and change.


Empty space, drag to resize
Write your awesome label here.

What Changes When You Lead by Design

The program transforms how you think, decide, and create impact, so your leadership not only performs, but endures.

Think with clarity and creative discipline

Turning complexity into insight
and direction.

Decide with confidence
and intention

Balancing strategic rigor with intuitive judgment.

Generate ideas that ignite progress

Moving teams beyond incremental thinking to breakthrough solutions.

Build alignment across difference

Transforming friction and resistance into collaboration and shared ownership.

Lead with purpose and presence

Anchoring every action in your values, vision, and unique strengths.

Deliver results that matter

Measurable outcomes that integrate innovation, humanity, and impact.

Learning Experience

Evolve Your Leadership Identity 

01

Think by Design - Principles

The Leadership Mindset
Move from reacting to leading through deliberate thinking.

02

Lead from Strength

Individual strengths are the foundation of authentic leadership. Grow leadership effectiveness through self-awareness and intentional strength use.

03

Grow Through Practice

Practice is the bridge between knowing and doing.
Deliver results that are meaningful, measurable, and aligned with purpose. Turn insight into action through real-world tools, guided reflection, and leadership application.

Meet our team

Nicole Pavelka
Founder, Leadership by Design Academy™
A design thinker and executive coach who bridges innovation, strategy, and human development to help leaders turn vision into action.
Joshua Schneeloch
Head of Partnerships & Growth
A growth strategist and connector who builds partnerships that bring creative leadership to life inside real organizations.
Lisa Gillette
Executive Coach & Strengths Facilitator
A former FOX Sports executive turned leadership coach who empowers leaders to harness their strengths and lead with clarity and confidence.

FAQs

Who is this program for?

This program is designed for leaders of innovation and change — founders, creative professionals, senior managers, team leads, and coaches who want to think differently and lead with intent. It’s especially valuable for reflective high achievers who want to bridge the gap between big ideas and consistent execution.

How is the program structured?

Leadership by Design™ is a self-paced, online learning experience hosted on the Leadership by Design Academy platform. Each module includes:

  • 5–8 minute video lessons
  • A 60-page interactive workbook
  • Downloadable tools and worksheets
  • Strengths-based reflection exercises

“Leadership in Action” stories featuring Leila Reyes
You can begin with any module, or complete all six for the full leadership transformation journey.

How long does it take to complete?

Most leaders spread the work over one to two weeks, spending 30–45 minutes a day learning, applying tools, and reflecting on real challenges.
You can move faster if you’re focused on one goal—or take more time if you prefer deeper practice between sessions.

Do I need to take the modules in order?

No. The six modules form a complete system, but each can stand alone. You can start wherever your current leadership challenge lies — whether you need clarity of vision, focus of strategy, new ideas, better alignment, or an actionable plan.

Can I purchase multiple seats for my team or organization?

Yes. Leadership by Design™ offers group and enterprise licensing for teams, organizations, and leadership programs. Team access includes discussion prompts, facilitator guides, and bulk enrollment options.
Contact us at hello@leadershipbydesign.academy
 to learn more about team pricing and customization.

Do I need the CliftonStrengths® (StrengthsFinder) assessment to participate?

No — you don’t need the official CliftonStrengths® assessment to get full value from this program. Leadership by Design™ includes a free Strengths Clue Assessment inside each module to help you identify your natural leadership patterns across the four Strengths Domains: Strategic Thinking, Executing, Influencing, and Relationship Building.

The Strengths Clue exercise gives you meaningful insight into how you think, decide, and lead — no extra purchase required.

If you’d like to go deeper, you can choose to complete the CliftonStrengths® assessment directly through Gallup at gallup.com/cliftonstrengths
.
Your official results will give you a detailed profile of your Top 5 (or all 34) strengths, which can enhance your reflection and application throughout the course.

Whether you use the Strengths Clue Assessment or CliftonStrengths®, the program will guide you in applying your strengths intentionally to every leadership tool and challenge.

Is this program based on research?

Yes. Leadership by Design™ builds on the proven foundations of Creative Problem Solving (CPS), design thinking, and Gallup StrengthsFinder®, combined with over two decades of applied leadership, brand, and innovation experience. It’s where creativity meets evidence-based leadership development.

Can I access the program from anywhere?

Yes. The entire program is hosted online through the Leadership by Design Academy platform. You can access all materials anytime, from any device, anywhere in the world.

What happens after I enroll?

You’ll receive an email with immediate access to your chosen module(s) inside the Leadership by Design Academy. You can begin right away — no set start date, no deadlines. You’ll also receive your interactive workbook and downloadable tool library.

Do I get lifetime access?

Yes. Once enrolled, you have lifetime access to your module(s) — including all updates, resources, and future enhancements.

What makes this program different from other leadership courses?

Most leadership training focuses on behavior and performance. Leadership by Design™ focuses on how leaders think. It combines creative process, self-awareness, and strategic rigor — empowering you to solve complex challenges with both human depth and design precision.

Can I get certified or facilitate this program?

Facilitator licensing and certification options are in development. If you’re a coach, consultant, or educator interested in integrating Leadership by Design™ into your practice, join our early interest list by emailing hello@leadershipbydesign.academy

What if I have more questions before enrolling?

You can reach our team at hello@leadershipbydesign.academy. We’re happy to help you determine where to start, whether you’re enrolling individually or exploring options for your organization.