[collaborate]: to work together to produce or create Real collaboration happens when we are able to listen not only to each other, but also to the wisdom and the bigger patterns that emerge as we work together. The more trust we have in each other, the more connected we feel with each other, the more fruitful our collaboration will be. It's not always easy, but we can get better with practice. It's been said that we go faster alone and further together; a statement that reflects the real spirit of collaboration. How I Can Help Facilitation of strategic planning sessions to create a shared understanding of future direction and goals Customized workshops to build capacity for team-work and personal leadership Consulting + coaching to increase productivity and achieve better results at meetings Facilitation of town hall meetings and other participative group processes

How I Have Helped

Just a quick e-mail to say thank you so much for [facilitating our meeting] last Wednesday! You were fantastic (especially on such short notice) - your style and openness were just what this committee needed! You also did a great job of keeping us on track….which can be a hard thing to do when there are so many different components to this program.

Thank you too for meeting with us on Tuesday and making "gentle suggestions" for us to re-think our agenda. You asked us some really thought provoking questions, which proved to be very beneficial in order for us to have made the most of our time together. I am so happy we listened, as I feel we are definitely headed in the right direction!

Katie Cino
Youth Net Halton Coordinator, Halton Region Health Department

Laurel has been invaluable in helping to shape community conversations that bring about meaningful change – from getting the topic right, to ensuring all residents have a chance to participate and share a variety of views. Her input and advice has helped me to get better feedback from residents – in meetings and in conversations – so I can fulfill my role as their elected representative.

Marianne Meed Ward
Ward 2 City & Regional Councillor, Burlington Ontario

A few years ago I attended a ten week leadership workshop facilitated by Laurel – a workshop that had great impact on the work I do with my team at Contrans. Laurel taught us new techniques for creating environments, and meetings, where all participants feel they have an equal voice; techniques that encourage the best ideas and the best solutions to come forward. During the workshop we also became more aware of our personal listening skills, and had the chance to practice turning our brains, and our personal perspectives off so we could really hear what another person was saying – one of the most critical skills we, as managers, can develop in ourselves and in others. Laurel has a unique ability to quiet the most chaotic of spaces and zero in with laser like precision as to what is really going on. At the same time she holds the space for you to practice the art of shared leadership and intentional listening – two skills that are critical for today’s leaders.

Kristen Fess
Director of Risk Management, Contrans Flatbed Group