Willpower Isn't a Strategy. Your Design Is.
Every time you catch yourself saying "they should have just," that's a design failure, not a willpower failure. This program teaches you to build systems and environments where the right behaviour happens naturally, without constant enforcement.
Five Ways to Design Out the Need for "Should"
Each module gives you a different lever for making the right behaviour the easy behaviour, without relying on willpower or enforcement.
Self-Explanatory Design
Learn to build systems and strategies that are inherently obvious, so people do the right thing by default instead of needing constant reminders, monitoring, or willpower to get there.
Environmental Stewardship
Master the skill of shaping the physical or digital conditions that support success before anyone even enters the system, so the environment does the work enforcement used to.
Human Nature Alignment
Move past moralizing about how people should behave, and start designing for how people actually behave, so your strategies work with human nature instead of against it.
Enforcement Reduction
Audit your existing processes to find where you're relying on willpower or vigilance, and learn to remove that friction so the work doesn't depend on people trying harder.
Strategic Probability
Increase the odds of any project succeeding by designing for how people actually behave in the real world, not the idealized version of human behaviour you're hoping for.
One Full Day. Here's Exactly What You're Signing Up For.
Where did InceptionU help me? Where did they not. They helped me rewire my entire way of thinking. I may not know the answers now — but I know I can find them. That makes me feel ready for basically anything.
As the co-founder of and facilitator at InceptionU, Greg is a super-connected entrepreneur, visionary and essential part of the InceptionU team. His expertise in design and critical thinking is a core component of our programming. Greg guides learners to think beyond what they 'think' they know and question everything.
Greg has personally assessed nearly 200 design solutions for companies in various industries ranging from software development to tech manufacturing and heavy industry. He is also an instructor at the University of Calgary's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.
Before your team signs up, let's answer the obvious ones.
Is this about psychology, or about design?
Both, but the focus is practical. You'll use insights about how people actually behave to redesign real systems and processes, not just study behaviour theory.
Do we need an existing process to bring to the workshop?
It helps but isn't required. Bring something you're struggling with and you'll leave with a concrete plan to redesign it.
Is this program available online, in-person, or both?
See the Session Logistics above for details on the current cohort. If you're outside Calgary and interested in a virtual option, get in touch and we'll let you know what's available.
What do you mean when you mention MetaSkills? What are they, and how will they help me?
Tools don't solve problems. People do. Our ability to use MetaSkills — critical thinking, systems thinking, creative thinking, computational thinking, design, and collaboration — are timeless competencies central to your future success. These aren't just career skills; they have impact across every area of your life.
Every InceptionU program is built around developing these alongside the technical content. That's what makes the learning stick.
Can I register as a team, or book a private session for my organization?
Yes. Group rates apply for five or more seats. If you're looking to run this as a private session for your team, reach out and we'll put together a proposal tailored to your organization's needs and schedule.
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What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel 10 or more days before the program start date, you'll receive a full refund. Cancellations between 10 days and 24 hours before the start date can be transferred to a future cohort at no additional cost. For cancellations within 24 hours of the start date, we're not able to process a refund or transfer — but reach out anyway and we'll see what we can do.
Is InceptionU an accredited institution?
Fortunately, we are not. That gives us the freedom to be agile and adaptable as technology and industries evolve. We work closely with industry partners to design programming that aligns with real workforce needs — not what was relevant five years ago. If you'd like our full perspective on credentials and credentialing, read our take on the blog.
Book Your Custom Cohort — Stop Waiting for People to Just Do the Right Thing.
Willpower runs out. Enforcement is expensive. Design is what actually holds up. This workshop gives you the tools to make the right behaviour the easy behaviour.
Questions about private team delivery, group pricing, or scheduling a custom date? Drop your details and we'll be in touch within one business day.