Leading in uncertainty
Every day we face the unexpected and uncertain.
Yet we rarely take time to develop our ability to do it well. I’m interested in what happens when we do cultivate this ability, and what’s possible when we do it well.
This isn’t theory for me – it’s a thread running through my life from running a school for improvisational theatre and performing on stage, to facilitating workshops for teams, boards and communities.
I’ve spent years exploring what helps people to stay present, think creatively, and move forward without script – and these workshops bring all that good stuff together.
"The team couldn't speak highly enough of the time they spent with you."
“A big thank you for the training yesterday – the team returned here energised, enthused, and couldn’t speak highly enough of the time they spent with you.”
Tom Berresford
Bermar International
Learning by doing
You can’t become better at leading in uncertainty just by talking about it.
At some point you have to leave the safe harbour, even if you don’t feel ready – and set out into the unknown on the sea of uncertainty. But there’s no need to go alone – or to be unprepared. And the rewards are worth the journey.
The workshops and programmes below are all designed to give people that experience in a way that feels stretching but doable.
I’ve brought this approach to clients like the NHS, AstraZeneca, and Shell. If you’d like to chat about a project or collaboration, just get in touch.
Leading in uncertainty
Leadership requires presence, clear goals and the ability to be learn and be flexible in pursuit of those goals.
This workshop for leaders uses embodied and creative exercises to help you use presence, flexibility and listening to maintain a natural, intentional style of leadership.
Recognise behaviours that strengthen connection
Develop flexibility to navigate emergence & complexity
Use embodied presence to lead under pressure
Download workshop details.
Creative Collaboration
Collaboration breaks down in small moments – listening drops, ideas get blocked and people don’t feel seen.
This workshop gives teams an experience of collaboration at its best – and what gets in the way – so you can build on your strengths to develop a culture of trust, accountability, and sustained performance.
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Develop a shared language for creativity under pressure
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Build psychological safety with everyday behaviours
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Improve problem-solving and decision-making
Download workshop details.
Story for leaders
Sometimes a good idea fails to land because it’s presented as data – rather than a story.
Stories are the conduit of human connection, and this workshop shares simple tools for turning ideas and facts into stories people care about.
Use personal experience for stories that connect
Craft stories that are memorable and relatable
Deliver stories in a natural, authentic way
Download workshop details.
Some clients I have worked with...
Over the years I’ve got around. Here are some clients I have worked with.
Creativity & Innovation
You can’t look backwards to solve a problem you’ve never faced before – you need fresh thinking.
Using workplace situations, participants learn the common blocks to creativity, and apply breakthrough thinking to spark insights and generate new solutions.
Build motivating environments that support creativity
Generate new solutions using effective techniques
Counter inertia by taking risks that drive progress
Download workshop details.
Performing with Presence
When presenting it’s tempting to over-perform or retreat into slides – only to find that your message isn’t landing.
Working with body, breath, voice and simple story structures, you’ll learn to connect with audiences in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Use grounded energy in real speaking situations
Present with clarity without over or under-performing
Adapt under pressure – staying connected to others
Download workshop details.
Team Experiences
Because sometimes teams just want to have fun…
Explore what makes your team click and build on your strengths – with plenty of laughter, play and discovery along the way.
Create a healthy culture rooted in shared understanding
Build momentum with clear communication and trust
Learn improv techniques used globally with top teams
Download workshop details.
Leading with Facilitation
Many leaders can facilitate a process, but few know how to harness collective intelligence.
This two-day programme supports leaders who want to facilitate meetings as intelligent networks – to unlock greater agency, adaptability, accountability and alignment.
Shift from centralised control to relational networks
Learn processes that work at speed and scale
Guide groups towards clarity and action
Download programme details.
I co-authored a paper on facilitation. Read it here.
Learning by doing. No boring waffle or slides.
Discover the potential in yourself and others.
Experiential learning
Relational skills & behaviours are learned through personal experience – so that’s what we’ll do.
We’ll push back the tables and create a space where you can learn and grow by practicing essential skills for listening, adapting, collaborating and creating.