Lunch & Learn events

Before you say a word: How your internal state shapes your leadership conversations.

Most leaders we work with are well-prepared for the conversations they have at work. They know what they want to cover, they have thought about the other person, they are clear on what a good outcome looks like. What tends to get much less attention is the state they are actually in when they sit down. Whether they are settled, or still processing something from earlier. Present, or half-elsewhere.

In our programmes, leaders consistently find that noticing this, and doing something about it, makes a real difference to the quality of what follows. This doesn't have to be complicated,  often  five minutes of quiet, or a short walk, or simply choosing not to go straight from one demanding meeting into the next is enough.

In this informal lunchtime conversation, Helen and Andrea will explore with Helen Jones Head of Visitor Services at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Molly Branham Communications Executive at Hey Me, and Julia Beeby Lead consultant and HR Partner at Grounded HR why internal state matters for leadership conversations, what tends to get in the way of noticing it, and some straightforward things that leaders can try.

The essential ways effective leaders in our region are empowering their teams

In this special Lunch and Learn we share with you how the leaders we have worked with have become more effective, compassionate, and are empowering their teams. Over the past six months we have worked with over 70 leaders across York and North Yorkshire as part of our Conversations4Change programme and we will be sharing their learnings, insights and reflections.

Looking at leadership in a fresh, but practical way, we will share key practices that you can put into place straightaway that will make a difference to you personally, for your team and for your organisation; helping you create the conditions required to help your team think things through for themselves, find their own answers and move forward with confidence.

We will also be drawing on the evaluation from year 1 that was conducted in partnership with York St John University. We will discuss one of our key findings, what happened when leaders slowed down, focused on the quality of their conversations and stopped trying to fix everything themselves.

We will also be sharing our Year 2 Conversations4Change programme, a new suite of fully funded programmes, for employers in York and North Yorkshire, designed to give more leaders the time, space and tools to lead in a way that makes a difference. You will be the first to hear all about it and you’ll be able to secure one of the limited number of places.

If you're a leader who wants to empower your team, spend less time fixing and firefighting, and build a culture where people genuinely thrive, this conversation is for you.

Leading with Humanity: Values, social justice and conversations that matter

In times of uncertainty and rapid change, the quality of human connection in the workplace has never mattered more. This conversation with Professor Divine Charura explores how principles of humanity, love, and ethical awareness can shape how we relate to one another and lead within organisational life. Drawing on his extensive psychological research, and in particular his forthcoming work with Professor Gordon Medlock, Divine will invite participants to reflect on the importance of challenging self-limiting beliefs and looming cognitive styles. The aim is to move towards self-understanding, appreciating intersectionality, and what it means to be values-led in everyday professional conversations.

We will explore how choosing love over fear, curiosity over judgment, and hope over cynicism can transform not only leadership practice but also the wider workplace culture.  We will discuss how building these into everyday workplace conversations can foster inclusive, ethical, and compassionate working environments where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.

Professor Divine Charura MBE is a HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist and UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) registered Psychotherapist. He is also a Coaching Psychologist. 

Divine has worked as a clinician in a range of clinical settings including the NHS, voluntary and private sectors, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He is currently a Professor in Counselling Psychology at York St John University.  

As a practitioner psychologist and psychotherapist, Divine continues to work with patients/clients presenting with a wide range of psychological difficulties and disorders in clinical practice. He has a range of psychotherapeutic interests including, the transformation potential of the therapeutic relationship, and the efficacy of a range of psychotherapy interventions in therapeutic work with those who have a diagnosis or those experiencing psychological distress.