Show Up. Let Go. Jump In.
This is what I do and it’s what I encourage others to do too. The first step is to Show Up - that’s usually the easiest bit. Then Let Go - of expectations, of old habits of thinking and acting, of worn-out stories we tell ourselves about what we can and can’t do, or why something will or won’t work. And then Jump In - to new experiences and ideas, to different ways of thinking and being.
What are you looking for?
- A facilitator to design and facilitate engaging meetings and workshops
- A conference designer to give your annual conference a makeover so that you can take advantage of having people physically in the room
- A trainer to help your staff to develop their facilitation, communication and leadership skills by designing training and workshops that are specific to their needs
- A speaker who can explore serious issues playfully and in an engaging way
- A connector who can put you in touch with other professionals
My approach
All work starts with a conversation, so I will talk with you and others in your business to find out how I can best contribute my skills to complement yours. I’ll design a workshop, event or training that suits your needs, and is specific for your group and situation. When I’m in the room with people, I will respond to what is happening and improvise if necessary, drawing on a huge range of activities and processes I have learnt and used over the past 20 years. I will make sure people move around and explore topics from different perspectives. I will help people have conversations, build relationships and explore meaningful transactions. I will disrupt entrenched patterns of thinking and acting so as you can return to your business with fresh ideas and insights, and I will stay connected so as we can continue the conversation, and the learning, beyond the workshop or event. If the task is big I will suggest others who can work with me to deliver what you need.
What others say
Viv totally engaged everyone in the room for the whole session. We had fun but dealt with some deep personal beliefs and behaviour issues along the way. Would love to do more training with her. Viv brings the improv concept down to the “anybody can do it” level and is masterful at getting everyone involved and participating. – Feedback from a workshop at the Australasian Training and Development Conference
Viv is really a good facilitator and what I appreciate about her more is that she is openly sharing her skills. I know we’re paying her for the engagement but I saw the heart that went with what she shared. I actually had the opportunity to be one of the participants in a Facilitator’s Training last year and what’s burning inside me is to conduct a Facilitator’s Training here in our office, too, using what I learned from her. This way, I can also give back to my organisation what it has invested in me. – A participant in facilitation training from the Philippines
Viv’s methods not only catered to different learning styles in a very complex multi-cultural setting but also delivered tangible results. She was quick to improvise her techniques to suit the non-linear reality of group dynamics. She kept pulling new tricks out of her hat that catered to both style and substance. – Regional Director of a global development agency
What I’m looking for
- Can I make a real contribution? Is there a need for my skills? Will I make a difference?
- Will it stretch me? Is it edgy? Will it contribute to my continued learning?
- Is there an opportunity to build capacity, and transfer my skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to others?
- Will it enable me to make money and provide for the future?
- Is there an opportunity to travel to new or interesting places?
- Will I be with cool people, especially friends? Will I potentially make new friends, and build existing relationships?
- Will I have fun?
- Am I excited by the prospect?
2 Comments so far







Hi Viv,
I am looking to enjoy participating with my staff in an open space session that would last one day. This would be scheduled midway through the year (2013) on a Saturday. I was thinking that it would be on the school site and that it would be completely voluntary – all staff who were interested would be welcome to attend.
I have conducted two short OS sessions with staff in the past two years as well as encouraging the network principals group to host a conference with an emphasis on OS in 2010. All these sessions were well received (despite my inexperience in conducting these) – it was as much about me letting go of the need to ‘be in charge’ as it was about everyone else taking responsibility for themselves.
Anyway, I’d love to chat more about this if you are interested and willing to have a go with us!
Cheers,
Elle May
P.S. Merry Christmas & I did attend the Creativity conference last year with Andrew and when Brian was alive, I did the training with you and him – I think that was in 2009.
Hi Elle May – Great to hear you have been using open space. Open Space is one of those processes that encourages us to ‘let go’, simply because that way people can get on with what’s important to them, rather than what someone else, or a committee, thinks is important. And it’s also much easier to let other people take responsibility, and then complain if you don’t like it – hence the continuing prevalence of top-down conferences and gatherings of all sort. Happy to talk further about open space and hear what you’ve been up to.