Category Archives: Uncategorized

If you’ve spent any time trying to build trust or get buy-in, whether it’s in a team, an organisation, or across a complex network of stakeholders, you already know this truth: real engagement doesn’t happen in meeting rooms. It happens where people actually are. That sounds simple, but it’s not easy. Too many of usContinue reading “Go where the people are: bold strategies for meaningful engagement”

When I talk to leaders across the public sector, one word keeps coming up: tension. The tension between passion and burnout. Between doing good and being seen to do good. Between advocacy and collaboration. In a world that often rewards noise over nuance, it takes real courage to stay connected, compassionate and purpose driven. AndContinue reading “Nurturing the Public Sector: Building Brave Connections in an Advocacy-Driven World”

We’re all wired for stories. Long before spreadsheets, PowerPoints and stakeholder dashboards, humans gathered around campfires and talked. We swapped tales, of challenge, triumph, and the odd woolly mammoth encounter. Why? Because stories make sense of the world. They help us connect, empathise and remember. Fast forward to your next stakeholder meeting. No campfire, perhaps,Continue reading “Facilitating Storytelling: Creating Rich and Meaningful Stakeholder Conversations”

When you’re trying to make a difference, whether that’s transforming a project, engaging stakeholders, or leading change, creativity isn’t a nice to have. It’s absolutely essential. Innovation is what turns ‘business as usual’ into ‘business that matters’, and in my experience, unlocking innovation isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike, it’s about building the mindset,Continue reading “Unlocking Innovation: Creative Approaches to Engaging Stakeholders Effectively”

When it comes to achieving lasting impact, one truth stands out: no one succeeds alone. Whether you’re running a business, leading a project, or driving social change, the ability to form strong, purposeful partnerships is one of the greatest differentiators between good outcomes and great ones. Powerful partnerships don’t just happen, they’re built deliberately, withContinue reading “Forming Powerful Partnerships: Building Collaborative Strength Through Advocacy and Alliance”

Every successful leader knows that great ideas and valuable insights don’t just come from the top, they come from everywhere. Some of the most powerful contributions come from the people who are rarely heard, the quiet voices at the edges of our teams, our communities, and our organisations. Empowering the unheard isn’t just the rightContinue reading “Give a Voice to the Underdog: Empowering the Unheard”

I’ve always said: if you want something to last, start with a solid foundation. Whether it’s a sports team, a business, or a community initiative, true strength is built from the ground up. When it comes to stakeholder engagement, the same rule applies. The magic doesn’t happen in the boardroom. It happens at the grassroots,Continue reading “Building from the Ground Up: The Power of Grassroots Engagement”

If you’ve watched The Traitors, you know it’s a masterclass in psychology. The format is simple but deeply human: a group of people must work together to win a shared prize, while some secretly work against the rest. The magic of the show lies not in the twists, but in the behaviour it reveals: howContinue reading “What The Traitors Can Teach Us About Stakeholder Engagement”

You know, many people think engagement is about ticking boxes, sending an email, holding a meeting, writing a report. That’s not engagement. Real engagement is about connection. It’s about making people feel like they’re part of something bigger, something that matters. When Apple was created, they didn’t ask people what they wanted and then gaveContinue reading “Think different: 10 steps to improve stakeholder engagement”

Throughout history, the greatest advances in society have come from the intersection of creativity and collaboration. The same holds true for governance and social progress. We’re living in an age where individuals are empowered like never before, yet participation in shaping the broader world often feels distant, especially when it comes to public policy. TheContinue reading “The power of public consultation: a path to true social participation”

When people talk about reputation, they often talk about it as if it’s something we own. “My reputation,” they say. But the truth is, reputation doesn’t actually belong to us. Reputation lives in the minds of others. It’s the story people tell when we’re not in the room. And if that’s the case, then reputationContinue reading “Reputation: it’s not about you”