NOVA Scribes

Intent-Based Leadership
Presented by Doug Hensch

How do you build a culture where people think and act like leaders at every level? In this 60-minute interactive session, Doug Hensch introduces the principles of Intent-Based Leadership, inspired by the work of retired U.S. Navy submarine commander David Marquet, author of Turn the Ship Around and Leadership is Language.
Marquet made a radical shift in his command: he stopped giving orders. Instead of directing every action, he focused on creating the conditions for clarity, competence, and control. The results were extraordinary levels of engagement, ownership, and operational excellence.
In this session, participants will explore:

• Clarity – How to ensure everyone understands the goals, the vision, and their role in achieving them.
• Competence – How to develop and sustain the skills needed to make decisions confidently at every level.
• Control – How to give up the urge to command and instead respect people’s craving for autonomy.

Through short exercises, group discussion, and real-world examples, participants will learn practical ways to change how they communicate, create alignment, and foster an environment where teams thrive.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with simple, actionable practices to increase engagement and excellence on your own team.

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Doug Hensch is an executive coach, author, and speaker who helps leaders grow through humility, curiosity, and connection. He has worked with top organizations like PwC, Hilton, Freddie Mac, and the National Institutes of Health, guiding executives and teams to strengthen resilience, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Earlier in his career, he led Nextel’s eCare efforts, saving the company over $10 million annually, and later launched a self-improvement platform that reached more than 100,000 people. He’s also the author of three books, including Positively Resilient, Re-Thinking Humility, and Re-Thinking Curiosity. His fourth book is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a sort of daily devotional for leaders. Doug is based in Leesburg, Virginia, and is a diehard Buffalo Bills and Boston Red Sox fan. Go Bills!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOVA Scribes has entered into a partnership with the IFVP: the International Forum of Visual Practitioners! This workshop is part of IFVP Learning.

This workshop will be recorded and posted on YouTube for anyone who cannot attend. You can find the YouTube link in the Comments section of this NOVA Scribes Meetup event once the workshop video has been uploaded to YouTube.

We’re not charging for this workshop, but we will be asking for donations! Donations cover the costs of hosting events on Meetup, to honorariums for new graphic recorders, and scholarships.

Please be sure you are registered on Meetup! If your Zoom name doesn’t match your name on Meetup, you will not be admitted. (We’ve had Zoom bombers.)

As the year draws to a close, take time to slow down, reflect deeply, and reconnect with yourself and your colleagues. This end-of-year workshop uses The Emotional Culture Deck to guide participants through a powerful process of personal and collective reflection—exploring the emotional highs and lows of the past year, what supported growth, and what stood in the way.

Through thoughtful, card-based activities and guided storytelling, this session creates a safe space to acknowledge what mattered most, celebrate growth, and carry forward meaningful insights into the new year.

Workshop Objectives:

• Reflect on personal emotional experiences over the past year—what lifted you up and what challenged you.
• Identify patterns in what helped you thrive and what held you back.
• Share stories that shaped your year to build empathy and understanding with others.
• Honor both accomplishments and struggles in a supportive, human-centered space.
• Clarify what you want to leave behind—and what you want to bring forward—into the year ahead.

What You’ll Experience:

• Personal Reflection with the Deck: Choose cards representing the emotions you felt throughout the year. Reflect on the moments and meanings behind them.
• Story Sharing & Connection: Share highlights and turning points with peers in small groups or pairs, deepening understanding and connection.
• Highs, Lows & Lessons: Capture key themes from your year—what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ve learned about yourself.
• Vision for the Future: Set intentions for how you want to feel and show up in the year ahead.

Why It Matters:
The end of the year is a natural time for reflection. This workshop goes beyond surface-level recaps and taps into the emotional drivers behind our experiences. Using The Emotional Culture Deck, a tool trusted by thousands worldwide, we create space for real conversation, emotional clarity, and intentional closure.
Ideal For:

• Individuals and teams looking to pause and reflect meaningfully before the new year
• Organizations that want to support emotional well-being and human connection
• Leaders who value emotional intelligence and intentional team culture

Christina Porter is a workshop facilitator and Lego Serious Play practitioner from New Zealand who helps people talk about their feelings at work. She uses a tool called The Emotional Culture Deck to guide teams in sharing emotions like happiness, stress, or frustration. Christina believes that when people understand each other's feelings, they can work better together. She creates safe spaces where everyone feels comfortable opening up.

Christina has led events like "Cheers to Emotional Culture," where people gather to discuss emotions in the workplace. She also writes articles about leadership and emotional intelligence. Her goal is to make workplaces kinder and more understanding by focusing on how people feel, not just what they do. Christina's work helps teams build trust and improve communication.