Here to help you
Navigate Wild Waters at Work
In your own way, you are working to create and sustain a decent, just and civil society. It’s never been easy, and now the ‘wild waters’ around you are raging even more wildly.
Now in my sixth decade of working with and for civil society, my proactive career is over - but my vocation continues. I am here to help you face and respond to the challenges of turbulent times.
This is what I offer you:
Your situation is unique. So is this book. In the story of nine true-to-life characters over seven years with 139 pieces of sage advice, and 41 insightful and engaging drawings, there are gems to guide you. Now. My part was to write the book; your part is to dive in and find what you need.
‘This is essential reading for all leaders’
Sir Nick Young
‘Good Leaders...’ out in The Wild (see more photos)
A park in Richmond
Ilha do Pico Azores
Mlilwane Eswatini
Podcasts
I enjoy recording conversations and dare to imagine that at least some listeners will find something of interest and value. I hope so.
Articles from 2025
Having published ‘Good Leaders in Turbulent Times’ in September 2024, I find that the impulse to write continues. The inspiration for my series of Substack articles Live Well in Turbulent Times came to me on a park bench by the river in 2024, soon after the US 2024 election. It is an expression of my desire not just to survive the coming storm but to live well while it rages.
Meeting Together
I began to learn the bright arts of facilitation from Lois Graessle and George Gawlinksi, in the 1990s at the British Red Cross. Meeting Together: How To Facilitate Meetings Conferences and other Gatherings, which we published jointly (2006) contains wisdom, tips and ideas about meetings in an engaging, readily digestible, sometimes funny and always insightful way.
Videos Facilitation Insights
Hello hello hello ... One breath feedback ... Give time checks ... A photo of a VIP ... Getting a move on with Usain Bolt ... Plans for the meeting are in chaos ... There are a couple of dozen videos here and there’s one with a message for you. See all videos
Charity governance & management
My regular column ‘Under the BoardTalk’ (Governance magazine 2007-14) looked in a light-hearted yet serious way at often ignored dynamics facing UK and international trustee boards.My articles (Third Sector magazine 2014-15) challenged readers to face their demons and to change organisational habits that are not helpful. See all articles
Clients since 2002 and lots of testimonials
Crisis Coaching for civil society (growing and sustaining decency, justice, compassion, courage and wisdom)
‘I have coached hundreds of charity leaders through crisis (see testimonials).
My coaching practice builds on the ‘generative attention’ I have learned during sessions with Nancy Kline (Time to Think) over 14 years since our first meeting in 1999; in our coaching sessions, she helped me to discover and practice a courageous clarity of thinking, word and action.
Engaged by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) since 2002 and by many other organisations, I have coached hundreds of charity leaders through crisis (see testimonials as above).
Practice authentic leadership for Civil Society. Kingston Voluntary Action and I co-created and delivered this course for local charity CEOs; five two-hour sessions, fortnightly May to July 2025. This video conveys our intention and participants' experiences. Contact me if you'd like to co-create a course in your area.
Get2thepoint facilitation: transform a meeting, change a world
Meeting together is a natural part of being human. Strains and struggles are part of being human too. This means that skill, care and attention is needed to really meet together well. I have been practising facilitation at top level for 2½ decades and was awarded Certified Professional Facilitator | Emeritus in 2022. I will help you insofar as I feel able, especially if you are a previous client.
More about my facilitation practice
Your Idea If you have an idea, proposal or project, which will help those who are facing the challenges of turbulent times and working to sustain a decent, just and civil society in the UK and worldwide, please contact me. Maybe we could collaborate?
My primary motivation is to play my part in achieving our common intention of growing and sustaining civil society in the UK and worldwide.
I offer my service in both the market economy in which the currency is money (I send you an invoice), and the gift economy in which the currencies are generosity and gratitude (I send you an InnerVoice).
