Together

Supporting Teams and Communities

Success is never achieved alone. It’s achieved together. Things probably need to change. It’s people who enable the change.

Starting the journey of change.

Where to begin? When we change, we can enable change in others. And sometimes the change needs to happen together.

Common mistakes.

It’s often said that people don’t like change. Maybe I work in a different way. I find that people love change. But that they rarely like to be changed. It has to come from within. That means being able to be real and to really listen and connect – with ourselves; with each other; and with others outside the gathering. I also find that trying to chase ‘one answer’ can be problematic, especially for groups. There can be many solutions, many ways. It’s about how these can come to life and live together in harmony.

Foundations like creating a ‘brave space’ for people to be truly heard and understood, and inviting people to experience for themselves how many ways there can be to see and live in a situation, can be essential.

Strong foundations.

There can be challenge for everyone in this work. So safety is also needed. Creating the right space is essential. Things shift when people can share the good and the bad, the familiar and the unexpected, the close in and the far reaching. Sometimes this involves inviting voices from outside ‘the bubble’, without creating a power dynamic. It’s about design and hosting that puts people, the theme and the intent at the centre, whilst keeping consequences, the wider world and the future in mind. When people know their voice is being heard they can focus more on listening to understand and building together.

Not the usual.

This work goes beyond the mechanics of, say, gathering ideas. This is about creating moments in time where people truly come together as one without compromising their uniqueness.

If you look around the site, you will probably notice the role of story, poetry and other forms of expression in enabling change. These all have a possible place in the shared experience and work together.

My style often involves turning down the dials on the theoretical, and turning up the nurturing of the shared humanity. This can include, for example, inviting people to experience for themselves how many ways there can be to see and live in a situation. When the ‘othering’ fades, and people connect as human beings, extraordinary things are possible.

And what happens next often takes place beyond any event itself, as people bring things to life for themselves, for others, and for those to come.

Typical themes – Topics relating to:

Future leadership
Making a difference, together
Culture; Legacy; Values; Purpose
Overcoming the ‘Othering’
Enabling a future for our children

The sorts of questions we explore:

What is it we’re here to do?
How can we do this well, together, effectively, enjoyably?
How can we sort this without tearing ourselves apart?
What are we not talking about, that we need to?
Whose voice(s) have we not yet heard?
How can we bring out the best in each other?
How do we bring this to life?
How do we create and maintain the outcomes / workplace / community we want?
How do we lead for the future we want?

Helping you

Ways of Working

Your team, community, event or project will undoubtedly be special. I’m thinking that you probably have unique people, particular circumstances, and passionate ideas that you want to bring to life. And on my side there’s a constant evolution of ideas and experience of what works. So here are some of the things I can bring. And when we talk, we can breathe life and detail into them.

Talking through possible approaches
Personal support for key people
Event planning and hosting
Training for hosts and facilitators
Session facilitation
Ongoing team and strategic support
Consultancy and training in inclusive, gentle, powerful change
Engaging and inclusive keynote sessions

"Neil consistently brings the same values and qualities to all his conversations and events: authenticity, compassion, strategic mindedness, quiet authority and challenge, combined with a genuine depth of knowledge around the process and value of ‘just’ being, ‘just’ listening, ‘just’ being genuinely and deeply curious and ‘just’ sincerely caring about the individuals in front of him. It all adds up to a reliably memorable human inter-action and connection that moves individuals and groups to a new and sustainable place of being."

Kim, UK

"Knowing how to build trust is an extremely important capability especially in our region where people have become very cynical and suspicious. Neil always manages to earn that trust and empower people for personal transformation, fulfill their role and develop potential ultimately contributing to a positive change in the society as a whole."

Tatiana, Latvia

Mark, USA

"I’ve found Neil to be an engaging speaker who captivates audiences with his fresh ideas and innovative approach. He pays careful attention to tailor his sessions, ensuring they inspire and meet the audience’s needs. One thing that sets Neil apart is his wisdom, which he seamlessly weaves into his talks, making each one meaningful and relevant. Yet despite his expertise, Neil remains down-to-earth, making him a pleasure to work with. Neil leaves a lasting impact on those who have the opportunity to interact with him."

Liz, UK

"Neil came to our offices to give a talk covering previous and quite recent research on being catalytic. As an organisation seeking to Shape a Better World, through our work and our individual daily actions, his talk hit very close to home for many of us. ... Neil ensured we prepared for the talk together so the specific questions facing our organisation at the moment were tackled and the audience engaged. It was a great evening where everyone left with a smile on their face, an even more open mind and a feeling of empowerment."

Lara, UK

Joe Marshall - CEO

Case Study

Transforming Organisational Culture and Unleashing Human Potential

CEO Joe Marshall recounts how Neil’s support is enabling the National Centre of Universities and Business (NCUB) to propel themselves to new heights of excellence.

From Good to Great

As the CEO of NCUB, my goal has always been to take our organisation from good to great. We recognised the need to bring in support to help us think on a human and cultural level, shaping what it truly means to work for NCUB while fostering genuine collaboration.

Over the last year Neil, together with his colleague Dr Alister Scott, have worked primarily with my senior leadership team.

Neil has been helping us to think about how the team works and has challenged us to change behaviours. He has encouraged us to see the world differently and how we approach things, and that has been invaluable.

Breaking Down Silos

Neil’s expertise has been instrumental in fostering teamwork. He has challenged us to be more deliberative in our culture, ensuring that we maintain a supportive, warm, and caring environment where every team member feels supported, while also holding individuals accountable for their behaviours. His guidance has been invaluable in navigating this complex challenge, and we continue to work on it together.

Personal and Professional Growth

We have experienced significant personal and professional growth, through Neil’s coaching. He challenged us to see the world through different lenses. These fresh perspectives have been transformative, enabling us to approach challenges in new and innovative ways.

CONTINUE…

Case Study

Moreover, the individual coaching sessions have empowered our team members to focus on their personal and professional development, strengthening their resilience while finding contentment.

Navigating Transitions

While our journey hasn’t been without challenges, Neil has been there to help us navigate them. Through coaching, he has supported me during a tricky transition period and helped me reflect on where my time and focus should be directed as the CEO. His non-directive coaching approach has empowered me to find answers within myself, leading to powerful insights and personal growth.

Unleashing Human Potential

I wholeheartedly recommend Neil to other organisations seeking to unleash their team’s potential. His expertise lies in fostering personal and professional growth within receptive teams, enabling them to embark on their journeys of growth. Neil’s approach is not about providing direct answers but rather guiding individuals and organisations to discover their own paths to success. Working with Neil has been a game-changer for us, and I believe he can make a significant impact on any organisation that is open to growth and change.

Connect

Get in touch…

If you’d like to have a conversation to explore how I can support you, your team or community with the change you’re planning, then I would love to hear from you.

SEND ME A MESSAGE HERE…

And you might want to have a look these examples of resources available on this site. You can find more on the Free Tools & Resources page (click here) and the Useful Words page (click here).

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