Facilitation
Inviting people together to form communities of meaning and depth.
As we turn towards the hardest questions and challenges of this time, I believe that the timeless practice of gathering in circles is needed now more than ever.
When we sit together and share our truth, being present to whatever arises, we do something sacred. We bear witness to our shared humanity. We hear our souls speak.
I facilitate conversations, circles and gatherings both online and in person; from the most intimate blessing circle for a friend’s milestone birthday, to retreats in nature with organisations, to climate crisis summits with hundreds of people in the communications industry.
To me facilitation is much more than a job, it feels like sacred work which is an honour and a deep responsibility to practice. It is no small thing to be part of a space where people feel safe to share with courage and vulnerability. Every time it happens, I feel held by a wholeness beyond myself.
If you are interested in working with me, please get in touch.
“Emma’s strength is in effortlessly getting people to drop their corporate masks and present themselves fully and wholly. As a facilitator, she has a truly impressive ability to get teams to connect with the deeper humanity and potential of their work.”
– Rob McFaul, Co-Founder, Purpose Disruptors and Reclaiming Agency alumnus
How can facilitation help?
Over years of this work I have seen the power of facilitation to support in many different contexts, ranging from:
Surfacing fresh creative ideas and opportunities that were previously hidden.
Having courageous conversations in which people (even with very different perspectives) feel their needs have been seen and heard.
Gaining deeper clarity around questions that you have been struggling to answer.
Creating trust and a sense of community even in a short space of time, which is powerful for any groups who wish to take meaningful action together.
To encourage presence and reflection, I apply the following principles:
Deep, present listening: This means no fixing, saving or advising. It is a rare and precious thing to feel truly seen and heard, and to know that nobody will try to jump in. It enables us to hear ourselves into deeper speech and to pay attention to our own innate knowing.
Space for silence: I believe in the idea of treating silence as a member of the group. When we let go of the need to fill the silence, it creates space for us to gather our thoughts. It enables a different kind of conversation, where we speak with greater intention.
A leader in every chair: This is a principle inspired by The Circle Way, that allows all voices to be heard equally, no matter our titles or level of confidence. To foster this quality of listening, I will often bring in a ‘talking piece’ that we use to signify who is speaking in the circle.
“Emma imbues the space she holds with kindness and sensitivity, whilst creating the conditions that allow you to bring your whole self whether that self is full of joy or sorrow. She is an experienced facilitator who is deeply rooted in her own experience and learning, with an ability to weave spaces that allow the beauty of life to unfold.”
– Alana Bloom, Co-Founder - True Nature
Featured Projects
Reclaiming
Agency
Reclaiming Agency is a creative leadership programme for a changing climate.
Since its inception, I have designed, led and co-facilitated this pioneering 6-month programme for leaders in the communications industry to want to take meaningful action around the most pressing challenges our world is facing. It is based on the principle of inner work for outer action and a large part of my role is creating conditions of deep trust and community.
Alumni of the programme have gone on to lead initiatives including Change the Brief and The Great Reset which are shaping a new narrative about the role of creativity at this time.
(Un)learning
Communities
When we learn in the presence of a trusted community, the possibilities for un-learning are far deeper.
I have co-facilitated group learning journeys in which we collectively explore anti-racism and activism texts, including Layla Saad’s Me and White Supremacy, adrienne maree brown’s Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds and Resmaa Menakem’s My Grandmother’s Hands.
We practice The Circle Way to create a brave space for people to share what this work is bringing up for them and to undergo the deep un-learning that is called for.
Blessings
Circle
I believe that all moments of transition in our lives are worthy of gathering, marking and blessing.
I have been privileged to host secular Blessing Circles for loved ones upon transitions like becoming parents or milestone birthdays, as well as honouring loss and witnessing courage through a season of life.
It’s in these moments we need our circle around us, offering their gifts of blessings in whatever unique form they take, to carry us forwards.
What is the courageous conversation that you need to have?
What conversation, if begun today, could ripple out in a way that created new possibilities?
I would love to work with your group to co-create a more beautiful future. If you’re interested in working with me, don’t hesitate to get in touch for an initial conversation.