Resources
Tools, templates, and insights for better leadership
Free assessments, downloadable toolkits, L&D templates, and a self-paced course — all designed by L&D professionals and powered by Merlin.
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Leadership Skill Assessments
Measure 18 workplace skills through conversation with Merlin. Free, 5 minutes each.
Explore AssessmentsPersonality Tests
Discover your MBTI or DISC type through AI-powered conversation, not questionnaires.
Take a TestTry Merlin
Experience AI coaching firsthand. Ask anything about leadership, management, or people skills.
Try Merlin FreeKnowledge Base
1,100+ articles on leadership, management, and people skills
Performance Review Phrases for Quality of Work That Show Impact
Vague quality-of-work phrases don't survive calibration. Get the slot pattern, four rating tiers, and 41 evidence-anchored phrases you can actually defend.
De-escalation Techniques at Work: 7 Moves to Calm a Heated Conversation
De-escalation techniques for the workplace: 7 moves, with word-for-word scripts, to cool a tense Slack thread or heated 1:1 before it turns into conflict.
Tools of Emotional Intelligence: The 4-Domain Framework With Examples
12 named, repeatable tools of emotional intelligence, organized by Goleman's 4 domains. Each one comes with steps and a real workplace script.
MoSCoW Prioritization: How to Decide What Actually Ships
How to run a MoSCoW prioritization session: the DSDM 60/20/20 effort rule, breaking Must-Have ties, and a worked backlog example that adds up.
Asynchronous Communication at Work: 9 Templates for Updates, Handoffs and Decisions
9 copy-paste asynchronous communication templates for status updates, handoffs, decisions and standups, plus a rule for when to go sync instead.
A Responsible AI Framework for Leadership Development: The Governance Canvas
A framework for HR to govern AI in leadership development: the Governance Canvas, eight questions to answer before AI coaches a manager on your people.
Downloadable guides and templates
Practical frameworks, scripts, and worksheets for managers and L&D professionals.
Leadership Toolkits
10 practical toolkits for managers covering feedback, delegation, conflict, listening, and more. Each is 10-15 pages of frameworks, scripts, and exercises.
- One-on-One Meeting Toolkit
- Constructive Feedback Toolkit
- Active Listening Toolkit
- Effective Delegation Toolkit
L&D Templates
19 expert-designed templates for learning and development professionals. Strategy frameworks, evaluation tools, coaching models, and more.
- Training Needs Analysis
- Skills Matrix Template
- Performance Review Template
- 360-Degree Feedback
Learning & Development Fundamentals
A comprehensive, self-paced course for L&D professionals at every stage. 50+ hours of expert content covering strategy, training design, evaluation, coaching, and AI — all permanently free.
Live Masterclasses
Expert-led, cohort-based programs for deeper skill building.
Manager Effectiveness
Taught by Ashish Manchanda
4-week live program covering guidance ability, interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and emotional competence.
$247
Learn More →Conflict Management
Taught by Brenda Hooper, PCC
4-week live program on conflict styles, conversational intelligence, and cultural differences in conflict.
$600
Learn More →Behavioral Interviewing
Taught by Victor Bullara
4-week live program on competency development, S.T.A.R. methodology, and candidate evaluation.
$600
Learn More →The Top Newsletter
Weekly leadership insights for ambitious professionals. Practical advice on management, team dynamics, and career growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these resources really free?
Yes. Assessments, toolkits, templates, and the L&D course are permanently free. Masterclasses are paid programs with live instruction.
Do I need to create an account?
You can browse everything without an account. Downloading toolkits and templates requires an email. Assessments require a free Risely account so Merlin can deliver your results.
Who creates these resources?
Our L&D team and expert contributors including practitioners from organizations like Best Friends Animal Society, Micron, and SAP.
How are these different from what I can find online?
Our resources are designed to work together. Take an assessment, download the related toolkit, and practice with Merlin. It's an integrated development experience, not isolated PDFs.