Freelance instructional designers often find themselves in an interesting position. We may be responsible for moving a course or training project forward, but the people we work with do not report to us. The team might include subject matter experts, faculty, technology staff, other designers, and administrators.
In these situations, leadership is less about authority and more about influence.
One of the best ways to build that influence is to make the project easier for everyone else. Set clear expectations, communicate regularly, keep meetings focused, and follow through on commitments. When people know they can depend on you, trust begins to grow.
Listening is equally important. Subject matter experts know their content. Faculty understand their students. Administrators may understand needs and limits that are not obvious to the rest of the team. A good instructional designer brings these different viewpoints together rather than trying to control every decision.
Artificial intelligence can help with some of the behind-the-scenes work. AI can summarize meeting notes, organize feedback, identify action items, draft project updates, and help prepare questions for upcoming meetings. This can give the designer more time to focus on relationships, decisions, and the quality of the learning experience.
AI can also help when several stakeholders provide different feedback. A designer might use AI to organize comments by topic or identify areas where reviewers appear to agree or disagree. The designer can then review the results and decide what needs further discussion.
Technology, however, cannot build trust for us. People still want to know that they have been heard and that their expertise is respected.
You do not always need a management title to lead a project. Sometimes leadership simply means helping a group of people move in the same direction.
When you bring clarity, consistency, and respect to the work, people are more likely to follow your lead.