A Silicon Valley infrastructure giant wanted to become more resilient and responsive. Instead of imposing change from above, we equipped an internal team with complexity thinking and practical tools. They used these to bridge silos, identify obstacles, and create organic change that emerged naturally.
Working with UNDP in Yemen, we used narrative research to understand how communities were adapting to conflict, revealing unexpected patterns that helped reshape intervention programs.
The European Commission's IT services transformation started by gathering real experiences from users across the organisation, leading to a portfolio of practical experiments that improved service delivery while building internal capability.
While I work on large-scale transformations, some of my most satisfying work happens at the team level, where shifts in understanding can create immediate impact:
A newly-formed department needed to bring three teams together quickly. Rather than standard team-building, we created a day that let people explore hopes and fears honestly, generating natural connections and a shared vision that energised their work for the next year.
A leadership team was stuck in circular discussions about strategy. Through structured narrative sessions, we uncovered assumptions blocking progress and found creative ways forward that everyone could support.
A technical team needed to improve collaboration with business units. Rather than formal processes, we developed lightweight ways to share stories and experiences, building understanding that transformed their daily interactions.
If you're looking for a quick fix or just want to squeeze another 5% efficiency out of your team, I'm probably not your guy. But if you're ready to challenge your assumptions and embrace a whole new way of thinking, then let's talk. I tend to work best with leaders who:
Sense there might be richer possibilities beyond their familiar toolkit. Are smart enough to know that being smart isn't always the answer. Want approaches that respect both the complexity of their challenges and the humans involved. Are ready to explore beyond the usual "best practices."
Whether you're looking for:
Individual leadership coaching to navigate complexity Team workshops to unlock new possibilities Organisational transformation at scale Narrative research to understand what's really happening
I bring the same principles to every engagement: creating spaces where people can see their challenges differently and find unexpected paths forward.
While I work independently, I'm also an active member of Cultivating Leadership, where I serve as:
A complexity-savvy sounding board for leaders wrestling with thorny challenges Program designer for leadership development across continents Senior consultant on narrative research and cultural change Coach to C-suite executives navigating complexity
This connection keeps me at the forefront of complexity thinking while providing a rich network of experienced practitioners to draw upon when needed.
Today, I work with a wide range of clients from governments and United Nations agencies to startups and global corporations to address complex, dynamic, human problems. But I’ve also been a radio presenter, software programmer, TV tuner, radar designer and elevator attendant. Needless to say, I’ve got stories about all of them.
What’s actually happening in your organisation
Whether what I do might be helpful (or whether you need something completely different)
Practical ways forward that fit your specific context
Building Teams That Can Effectively Manage Conflict
How Narrative Analysis Can Help To Improve Service Delivery In Healthcare
Promoting Organisational Development: The Impact Of Narrative Research