Journey Mapping In the Dark: Toward Authentic Innovation
Dear friends, old and new—
Have you ever found yourself holding back from saying what you really think, or feeling unsure whether your experience even belongs in the conversation?
So many of us have learned to navigate systems without fully expressing what works, what doesn’t, or what we need to thrive. Whether it’s in our workplace or in our community, there are moments when we don’t feel safe, seen, or open enough to speak. That’s not just a personal struggle; it’s a systemic one. And it's a missed opportunity for growth, inclusion, and innovation.
What if we had space to share those moments honestly?
What if systems were designed with those truths at the center?
That’s what journey mapping makes possible—and it’s what the In the Dark methodology can uniquely brings to life for companies and organizations immersive way. This is not about simulating empathy; it’s about activating curiosity through the lens of compassion. It’s about listening beyond surface impressions and asking the questions we don’t usually make time or space for.
In this edition, I’ll take you deeper into how In the Dark supports journey mapping—helping leaders, teams, and organizations design policies, products, and environments that work better for everyone.
What is Journey Mapping?
Journey mapping is a process often used to better understand the experience of a person navigating a system, whether it's a customer using a service, an employee navigating workplace culture, or a community member accessing resources. It requires asking honest questions, listening deeply, and understanding the barriers, emotions, and touchpoints that shape someone’s experience.
At its core, journey mapping is about seeing and hearing people fully. It uncovers gaps between intention and reality and helps leaders design more effective solutions.
What Journey Mapping Does?
In the Dark applies journey mapping in an experiential way. It creates a space free from visual assumptions, where people can:
Speak and listen without performance or pretense
Reflect more deeply on their personal and professional experiences
Understand how systems truly feel for those navigating them
Because no one is watching, participants often find the courage to share more openly and honestly. This has a broad impact across many areas:
Employee Experience: Creates safe, nonjudgmental environments to discuss challenges like asking for accommodations, feeling pressure to conform, or finding your place.
Innovation: Builds better products, programs, and services by surfacing overlooked insights and unmet needs. When you remove surface-level assumptions, deeper ideas emerge.
Leadership Development: Strengthens the muscles of listening, curiosity, and self-awareness; critical skills for authentic, responsive leadership.
And most importantly, it asks each of us to pause and consider:
What voices are missing in the way we design our systems, services, and spaces?
What might we gain by leading with curiosity over certainty?
Most importantly, it helps us slow down enough to ask ourselves: What voices are missing in the way we’re designing systems, services, and spaces?
What Journey Mapping In the Dark Does?
As part of organizational development and planning, In the Dark helps uncover:
Where efforts are falling short
How well systems are working for everyone, not just the majority
Where people feel unseen, unheard, or unable to fully contribute
It fosters cultures of authenticity where leadership is not about having all the answers, but about being present, accountable, and open to growth. These environments lead to stronger collaboration, smarter innovation, and outcomes that serve more people more equitably.
Stories from the Field
As this work continues to expand, I wanted to share a few recent experiences that stood out because of the people, the stories, and the connection shared:
Farewell party for the Ambassador from Brunei: This gathering held special meaning for me. During my time as a U.S. Special Advisor, I had the honor of visiting Brunei and was welcomed with immense warmth and generosity. The Ambassador was deeply supportive and instrumental in fostering conversations around disability inclusion. Saying goodbye brought a moment to reflect on the bridges built and friendships formed.
Earth X Conference in Dallas, TX: At EarthX, we didn’t just talk about sustainability—we embodied it by centering different voices and stories. The Networking In the Dark session sponsored by the Conscious Capital Networking Hub created a space where people connected beyond roles and titles, where authenticity led the way. Participants said: “If you’re looking to instantly create connection, intimacy, and openness between you and your community, Book in the dark session.”
Speaking Engagement with CSIS: On April 30, I had the honor of delivering opening remarks for a session of the Expert Study Group on Inclusion and Accessibility: Making the Peacebuilding Sector More Effective—a collaboration between Humanity United, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the United States Institute of Peace. The session focused on how peacebuilding efforts can more effectively include people with disabilities, and youth. I was invited to help frame the conversation through the lens of disability inclusion, sharing insights on how authentic participation strengthens human rights, social cohesion, and long-term peace. It was a powerful moment to reflect on how accessibility and equity must be at the core of international development and diplomacy.
Virtual Speaking Engagement with the University of Mexico: On May 5, I delivered the opening keynote at the 4th International Congress on Inclusive Education, hosted virtually by the University of Mexico. Attendees included educators, university leaders, students with disabilities, and advocates from across Latin America and Spain. I shared how In the Dark can help institutions go beyond compliance to build truly inclusive cultures where all voices are heard and valued.
Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit in Dana Point: Facilitating the “Lab: Leadership In the Dark: An Immersive Experience” at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit 2025, just yesterday was a great experience! A gathering of forward-thinking leaders exploring the future of work led to interesting discussions and reflections. The summit focused on building inclusive, adaptive, and human-centered workplaces. I enjoyed contributing to this vision and contributing to conversations about how authenticity can foster better leadership and drive innovation and a culture where everyone can bring their full selves forward.
Your Homework (Your Turn to Reflect!)
What would it look like to journey-map your own experience—in your workplace, in your leadership, or in your community?
Ask yourself:
What systems do I interact with every day that weren’t built with me in mind?
How do I navigate these systems?
Where do I face barriers and what can I learn from that?
Reflect on a policy, program, or product you designed and company culture you contributed to; how did you take into account everyone's, voice, perspective and experience?
Ask yourself:
How can journey mapping help me in my work?
How can Journey Mapping In the Dark apply at my company?
Let’s lead with authenticity, not with fear, but with curiosity through the lens of compassion; and the intention to create spaces where everyone is seen, heard and valued.
Warmly,
Sara Minkara
Sara Minkara is a world-renowned speaker and visionary who challenges traditional perspectives on leadership, disability, and human potential. As the former U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, she transformed how nations and international organizations approach diplomacy and leadership in disability-related issues. Her unique identity as a blind Muslim woman and Arab-American entrepreneur informs her experiences offering a fresh and powerful perspective on authenticity and leadership.