Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I wish there was a clearer way to explain how I work or teach”? I’ve been there, too.
For me, frameworks have become one of those quiet, powerful tools that help turn scattered thoughts into something clear and meaningful. They aren’t just buzzwords or complicated diagrams. They’re ways to make the invisible parts of our work visible, helping us organize ideas, decisions, and intentions so we and the people we work with can see the heart of what really matters.
In this episode, we explore what frameworks are, why they matter, and how they can help us design, lead, and connect with purpose - whether it’s guiding students through research projects, creating learning experiences, or shaping your own approach to work. Think of frameworks as bridges that connect ideas to action and people to each other.
Listen in as we talk about:
01:00 A key tool in my tool belt
02:47 Making the invisible - visible
05:25 A framework for engagement
09:06 Designing learning with heart
10:53 Why frameworks matter
12:55 Shaping your framework
15:00 Framing your work forward
Connect with Tiana:
Website: https://tianafech.com
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Facebook: @tianafech
Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course
MAKING THE INVISIBLE - VISIBLE
“A framework is really about making something invisible… visible. It gives shape to what you value, what you do, and how you do it.”
So, what is a framework, really? It might sound like a stuffy corporate buzzword, but at its core, a framework is simply a structured way to organize your thinking. It’s like swapping out a messy junk drawer for a neat, labelled filing cabinet helping you (and others) make sense of your ideas, decisions, and approach. Frameworks don’t have to be fancy. They can be a simple model or a detailed visual guide. What matters is that they bring clarity and meaning to your work. In fact, you’re probably already using frameworks without realizing it - in how you give feedback, lead a meeting, or make decisions. The power comes when you name and shape those patterns with intention, turning them into tools that are not only useful to you, but usable and shareable with others. A good framework doesn’t complicate things. It helps you see what matters, how it connects, and how to share it in a way that truly makes sense.
A FRAMEWORK FOR ENGAGEMENT
Creating the ARIS Hub Student Engagement Framework for Applied Research and Innovation Services at SAIT, the Southern Institute of Technology, was less about checking boxes and more about asking the right questions. My colleague Teresa Bent and I spent two years exploring what meaningful student engagement really looks like in applied research - where timelines, partners, and projects are constantly shifting. We didn’t start with a polished plan. We started with curiosity, sticky notes, and honest conversations. Over time, key themes like purpose, roles, quality, and impact became the backbone of a framework that now helps guide, support, and reflect on student involvement in a clear, consistent, and human way. It includes everything from shared language to guiding principles but at its heart, it’s about creating positive, growth-oriented experiences for everyone involved. When frameworks are rooted in real questions and lived experience, they become more than just tools. They become trusted guides for meaningful connection and impact.
DESIGNING LEARNING WITH HEART
In my consulting work, I wanted a way to capture what truly matters in learning design - not just the content, but the connection. That’s how the People Teaching People Framework came to life. It’s a visual, human-centered tool that guides facilitators, entrepreneurs, and organizations in creating meaningful learning experiences across all kinds of settings. At its core is a belief that great learning happens when people connect with each other and with purpose...