These Terms govern your use of the Leadership by Design website and the materials made available through it. By accessing or using the site, you agree to these Terms. Additional terms may apply when you buy a product, register for a seminar, or enter into a separate consulting or speaking agreement.
Who you are dealing with
Leadership by Design is a sole proprietorship operated by Mart Ratliff in Watauga, Texas. In these Terms, “Leadership by Design,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to that business.
Educational information, not professional advice
The writing, framework, assessment, diagrams, videos, and other materials on this site are educational. They present a structural approach to understanding leadership and organizational behavior.
Nothing on the site is legal, financial, medical, psychological, employment, human-resources, tax, accounting, or other regulated professional advice. Reading the site, receiving emails, downloading materials, or completing an assessment does not create a consulting engagement, attorney-client relationship, fiduciary relationship, or other professional duty.
A consulting, keynote, seminar, or other professional engagement exists only when the applicable registration or written agreement has been completed.
The Leadership Wiring assessment
The Leadership Wiring assessment is a leadership-development and educational instrument. It is not a clinical, psychological, psychiatric, medical, or diagnostic test.
It has not been validated for hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, discipline, fitness-for-duty, disability, or other employment decisions. Do not use the assessment, an assessment result, or a Leadership by Design field guide as the basis for an employment or other legally significant decision.
The assessment describes tendencies within the Leadership by Design framework; it does not establish a person’s character, competence, diagnosis, protected status, or suitability for a role.
Your decisions and organizational outcomes
Organizations are complex systems. Examples, diagnostic concepts, and educational materials cannot account for every fact in your organization. You remain responsible for decisions you make after using the site or its materials.
We do not guarantee a particular organizational, financial, performance, employment, or other outcome from reading the site, taking an assessment, attending a seminar, or applying a concept.
Ownership and permitted use
Except for materials identified as belonging to third parties, the original text, Leadership by Design framework materials, assessments, diagrams, field-guide content, course materials, and other original content made available by Leadership by Design are owned by Mart Ratliff or used under license and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
You may use the site for your own personal or internal business learning, share links to public pages, and quote brief portions with appropriate attribution where permitted by law.
Unless we give written permission, you may not reproduce or republish substantial portions; copy or recreate an assessment; extract questions or scoring logic; use Leadership by Design materials as your own training, coaching, consulting, or assessment product; remove ownership notices; sell or sublicense the materials; or present the framework or instruments as your own.
Leadership by Design and certain names, logos, framework terms, and instrument names may function as trademarks or service marks. No license to use a mark is granted merely because it appears on the site.
Seminars, products, and payments
Seminar registrations are also governed by the Seminar Policy presented with the registration or checkout process. That policy addresses transfer, cancellation, refunds, event changes, and what happens if Leadership by Design cancels or reschedules the event. The Seminar Policy is incorporated into the applicable transaction when you register.
Books and other products may have separate product, shipping, or refund terms shown at the point of purchase. Payments are processed through Stripe and may also be subject to Stripe’s applicable terms.
If there is a conflict between these general Terms and a signed consulting, speaking, or other services agreement, the signed agreement controls for that engagement.
Email communications
Marketing email lists use confirmed opt-in. You may unsubscribe from marketing at any time.
Purchases, seminar registrations, assessment-result requests, and existing business relationships may require transaction or service messages such as receipts, result delivery, event logistics, schedule changes, or responses to your enquiry. Those messages are different from marketing email.
Acceptable use
Do not use the site to interfere with its operation, attempt unauthorized access, introduce malicious code, scrape or systematically extract protected assessment or proprietary content, impersonate another person, or use the site in violation of law.
Third-party sites and services
The site may link to or use services operated by third parties. Those services are governed by their own terms and privacy practices. A link does not mean we control or endorse every statement, product, or practice on the third-party site.
Availability and changes
We may change, suspend, or discontinue site content or functionality. We do not promise that the site will always be available, uninterrupted, or error-free.
Privacy
Our collection and use of personal information is described in the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy is separate from these Terms and should be read together with them.
Disclaimer of warranties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE TEXAS LAW, THE SITE, ALL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, CONTENT, AND ANY RELATED INFORMATION OR SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE,” AND INFORMATIONAL BASIS ONLY, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, OR USAGE OF TRADE. ANY DISCLAIMER OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY EXPRESSLY MENTIONS “MERCHANTABILITY” AND IS INTENDED TO BE CONSPICUOUS.
WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE OR MATERIALS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS, ACCURATE, COMPLETE, CURRENT, OR THAT THEY WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR EXPECTATIONS. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL, LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL, OR OTHER ADVICE. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR EVALUATING AND USING ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE SITE.
SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS. TO THE EXTENT TEXAS OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW DOES NOT PERMIT A DISCLAIMER, THE DISCLAIMER APPLIES ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED, AND ANY NON-WAIVABLE RIGHTS REMAIN IN FULL FORCE. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS ATTEMPTS TO DISCLAIM OR LIMIT ANY WARRANTY OR RIGHT THAT CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED OR LIMITED UNDER TEXAS LAW, INCLUDING ANY NON-WAIVABLE CONSUMER RIGHTS.
Limitation of liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE TEXAS LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL WE (OR OUR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS) BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR LOST-PROFITS DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR ANY OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES), ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SITE, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, OR ANY CONTENT THEREIN, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) AND EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SITE (INCLUDING FREE USE OF THE SITE AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS) SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100). FOR ANY PAID SEMINAR, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE TRANSACTION, OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THAT SPECIFIC TRANSACTION SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNTS ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU TO US FOR THAT SEMINAR, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM (OR, IF LESS, THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE SPECIFIC ITEM GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM). THE FOREGOING CAPS APPLY SEPARATELY TO FREE SITE USE VERSUS PAID TRANSACTIONS.
THE LIMITATIONS IN THIS SECTION APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND ARE AN ESSENTIAL BASIS OF THE BARGAIN. CERTAIN STATE LAWS, INCLUDING TEXAS LAW IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS. TO THE EXTENT SUCH LAWS APPLY AND CANNOT BE LIMITED, THE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS ABOVE APPLY ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
NOTHING IN THESE TERMS EXCLUDES OR LIMITS LIABILITY FOR: (A) FRAUD OR FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION; (B) GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT; (C) PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE TO THE EXTENT SUCH LIMITATION IS PROHIBITED BY LAW; (D) ANY LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE TEXAS LAW (INCLUDING ANY NON-WAIVABLE STATUTORY RIGHTS); OR (E) ANY OTHER LIABILITY THAT TEXAS LAW REQUIRES TO REMAIN UNAFFECTED.
Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless us and our affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your misuse of the site or educational materials; (b) your violation of these Terms; or (c) any content, materials, or information you supply, upload, or transmit through the site that infringes or is alleged to infringe any third-party intellectual property, privacy, or other rights, or that otherwise causes a claim.
This indemnity is limited to the foregoing circumstances and is not a broad or sweeping consumer indemnity. It does not require you to indemnify us for our own fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct. Your indemnification obligations will survive termination of these Terms and your use of the site.
Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and non-waivable rights
Nothing in these Terms constitutes a waiver of any rights under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.41 et seq.) unless such waiver is executed in strict compliance with the narrow statutory requirements of Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.42 (including a written, signed waiver meeting the conspicuousness, form, independent counsel, and other conditions of that section). A generic online acceptance of these Terms does not waive DTPA rights. Any non-waivable consumer rights under Texas law remain fully intact and are not affected by these Terms.
Coordination and severability
This section is intended to be read together with any separate consulting, speaking, or product purchase agreements. In the event of a direct conflict regarding a paid seminar, product, or consulting engagement, the more specific agreement or policy controls for that transaction. If any portion of this section is held unenforceable under Texas law, the remaining portions continue in full force to the maximum extent permitted.
Governing law
These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms, the site, educational materials, or your use thereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles, except to the extent that federal law or any other non-waivable law applies and requires a different result.
Exclusive jurisdiction and venue
You and we agree that any legal action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms, the site, educational materials, or your use thereof shall be brought exclusively in the state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas, or in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth Division), and you and we hereby irrevocably consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts for the resolution of any such disputes.
You and we each irrevocably waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue (including any claim of forum non conveniens or any claim that such courts lack personal jurisdiction or are an inconvenient forum) and agree not to plead or claim the same in any such action, suit, or proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section limits either party’s right to seek provisional or injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect intellectual property rights or other rights pending final resolution of the dispute in the exclusive forums specified above.
If any portion of this Governing Law and Dispute Process section is held unenforceable, the remaining portions shall continue in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms and will change the date at the top when we do. Changes govern future use of the site after the revised Terms become effective. A completed purchase or registration remains governed by the transaction terms in effect when the transaction was completed, except where the applicable transaction terms expressly provide otherwise or law requires otherwise.
Contact
hello@martratliff.com
Last updated August 29, 2026. Questions: hello@martratliff.com