Better Together
Back in June last year, I found myself in Rome at a 2-day conference.
After 13 years of working for myself, I was feeling a little restless. I was older, the market had shifted, and I sensed it might be time for something a bit different.
An opportunity popped up in a group chat, and on a bit of a whim, I responded.
A few hours later whilst at the airport waiting to fly home, I had a conversation with Sophie.
A few weeks passed…and, as they say, the rest is history, starting with Aviva on September 1st.
This week, we’re co-facilitating together again in Perth.
Co-facilitation is when two or more facilitators deliver a session as a team.
It means sharing responsibility, switching between leading and supporting, and staying in tune with the room throughout.
Minute by minute, hour by hour, our working relationship really matters.
When you work with someone you genuinely get along with, something shifts in the room.
There’s ease and trust – constantly.
A real sense of “we’ve got this together.”
To me it seems we listen better, adapt faster and learn from each other.
I have noticed that we’re able to laugh when things don’t go exactly to plan – and somehow we seem more resilient too!
Managing energy levels, keeping an eye on group dynamics, being the subject matter expert or even the timekeeper – all to ensure great outcomes, is a genuine joy with Sophie.
In leadership and in learning, we often focus on what we deliver:
The content. The outcomes. The impact.
But just as important is how we stand alongside one another while doing it.
Because when people work well together – truly well – it shows.
Participants feel it. Energy lifts. Conversations deepen.
And the work becomes not just effective, but really enjoyable.
Over the next two days, we’ll facilitate discussions, invite reflection, and hold space for learning. But underpinning all of it will be something quieter and more powerful:
A good working relationship.
Built on trust.
Strengthened by humour.
And occasionally like yesterday sharing a memory of NHS milk bottle glasses, when we were 8 & 11 respectively!
Who makes work feel lighter for you?
