Creating a level playing field for collaboration

What is the role of executive leaders in a collaborative change process? In this inspiring episode, we sit down withsociologist and former university executive, Lieteke van Vucht Tijssen. She takes us back to a pivotal moment in her career: stepping in as interim board member at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences in crisis. With financial instability and declining educational quality, Lieteke faced the challenge of turning things around—without resorting to yet another costly reorganization. Instead, she championed a bold cultural shift: moving from a rigid, top-down management style to a participatory, quality-driven educational ethos. She takes us behind the scenes of a pivotal moment—the 2010 “Craftsmanship andMastery” conference, where 300 staff, students, and leaders came together for a one-day large-scale intervention. Through carefully designed dialogue, clearframeworks, and inclusive participation, the university community began to reimagine itself—not as a “bachelor production machine,” but as a true house of education. Through her story, we explore the power of intrinsic motivation, professional responsibility, and the role of co-creation in building sustainable change. She also shares practical lessons on executive leadership, student engagement, and sustaining change through follow-up actions.

Chapters

• Introduction to Lieteke and the executive perspective
• A university in crisis: Challenges for the interim board
• Turnaround to a quality culture in education, engaging the whole system
• Applying the Large Scale Interventions approach for whole system change
• Establishing clear boundaries for the playing field for collaboration
• Forming a stakeholder steering commission, including a governor  
• Challenges at the top, fear of losing control
• Courageous leadership to overcome fear and misunderstandings
• A one-day large group conference to initiate the turnaround
• Clear frameworks forcollaboration
• Follow-up actions to sustain change and growth
• As a governor, take daily sorrows and small results into account

More info

• Lieteke van Vucht Tijssen on LinkedIn
• Article ‘Enhancing the Impact of Co-Creation Research: Large Scale InterventionsWith a Stakeholder Steering Committee for Whole System Engagement’  
• Article ‘Kwaliteit als cultuur. Ruimte voor de innerlijke drive van HBO studenten’ (Dutch)

In this episode, we welcome Babah Tarawally, a journalist, columnist, and author originally from Sierra Leone. Baba discusses the philosophy of Ubuntu and its relevance to creating a level playing field for collaboration. He shares his experiences as a migrant from Sierra Leone to the Netherlands, highlighting the challenges of integration and the importance of seeing each other as human beings. The discussion also touches on the need for reciprocity in relationships, the differences in how migrants and refugees are welcomed, and the role of community support systems in fostering a sense of belonging. Reflecting on the broader journey of life, Babah encourages listeners to consider what they will leave behind for future generations. He stresses the importance of investing in others and taking care of the environment, so that we leave the world in a better state for those who come after us.

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More information

Babah Tarawally on Wikipedia

Books by Babah Tarawally (overview and descriptions)

Column in Trouw (Dutch daily newspaper)

In this episode, we welcome Siddharth, a senior banker from Bengaluru, India, with over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. Siddharth shares his inspiring journey of living with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his coordination, and how he has overcome numerous challenges to achieve success. He holds multiple master's degrees and has authored a book titled "Simply Being Sidd." Siddharth is also a motivational speaker who enjoys discussing topics such as leadership, management, and self-awareness. He shares stories of how his childhood experiences have made him mentally stronger and how he has learned to take control of situations without worrying about others' perceptions of his condition. Siddharth highlights that effective collaboration requires a two-way process towards a common goal. He also talks about the importance of building personal relationships before starting any collaborative project. He shares his strategies for connecting with colleagues, especially those who may have different perceptions about disability. Siddharth's advice for facilitators, leaders, and researchers is to take the time to get to know each other and build relationships before expecting collaboration. He emphasises that understanding each other as whole human beings, beyond any disabilities or differences, is crucial for effective collaboration. Tune in to hear Siddharth's valuable insights on leadership, collaboration, and the importance of personal connections in creating an inclusive and productive work environment.

Listen with subtitles Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Siddharth

03:02 Childhood Experiences and Collaboration

07:13 The Importance of Getting to Know Each Other

13:46 Overcoming Perceptions of Disability

21:42 The Essence of Collaboration Beyond Disabilities

More info

 Siddharth on LinkedIn

 Simply being Sidd! My fight with life and God, book (2017)

 Am I normal?: Siddharth GJ at TEDxEMWS 11 min. video

 CavinKare Ability Mastery Award 2021, 2 min. video on Siddharth mission

 TEDxGateway- Siddarth GJ- Love yourself and Life will follow its own Path

Join us for an inspiring episode with Fiona Frank, an educator, politician, activist, and consultant from the Netherlands. With over 22 years of experience, she teaches at the University of Applied Science in Amsterdam and the University for Humanistic Studies in Utrecht. In our conversation, Fiona shares her political journey and dedication to activism, particularly in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She recounts coordinating the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Utrecht during the COVID-19 lockdown, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in activism. Fiona advocates for courageous leadership that challenges the status quo to create real change. She highlights the power of collective action among diverse communities embracing intersectional thinking. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how fearless leadership can pave the way for a more equitable future!

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fiona Frank

03:41 Activism and the Black Lives Matter Movement

08:45 Community engagement and municipal collaboration

11:56 The importance of diverse perspectives

14:15 Rewarding voices of marginalised people

16:43 Tailoring communication and participation to different cultures

21:49 Appreciating silence in conversations

24:59 The need for courageous leadership in activism and politics

31:15 Embracing intersectionality for collective action

More information

Fiona Frank on LinkedIn

In this episode, we welcome Tineke Abma, a professor of arts and health at Erasmus University and Leiden Medical Center and executive director of Leiden Academy on Vitality and Aging. Tineke shares her fascinating experiences and insights on participatory research, particularly with older adults and people with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of experiential knowledge and collaboration in making research relevant and impactful. This implies seeing people as a whole and creating a level playing field by sitting next to them rather than sitting in front of them and asking questions. For example, taking nursing home residents seriously and involving them as co-researchers, sharing uncertainties, and collaboratively seeking solutions are crucial for building trustful relationships. Listen to this inspiring episode to learn more about how creative methods, working with artists, and collaboration with stakeholders can positively change healthcare and research agendas. 

Read the transcript

Chapters

• Introduction to Tineke Abma and her work
• Stepping into the field, engaging patients and other stakeholders in research
• Participatory research with spinal cord injury patients
• Empowerment through collaboration, broadening research agendas    
• Improving a nursing home with the older residents as co-researchers
• Sitting next to people, creative methods to build trustful relationships
• Researching with artists to mirror and honour emotions

More information

• Tineke Abma

• Article on epistemic injustice, by Groot, Haveman & Abma 2020
• Article Social impact of participatory health research, by Abma et al. 2017
• Article Patients as partners in responsive research, by Abma et al. 2009
• Article Dialogue and Deliberation. New Approaches to including patients in setting health and healthcare research agenda, by Abma 2018

In this episode, we welcome Rekha Nair, an experienced HR consultant and founder of Align HR, based in Chennai, India. Rekha shares her extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and organizational restructuring, highlighting the importance of building trust, respect, and transparent communication.

Key Highlights:     

Mergers and Acquisitions: Rekha discusses the significance of showing respect and building trust during M&A processes. She shares anecdotes about how small gestures of respect from senior leaders can create a strong foundation for successful integration. Continuous and transparent communication is emphasized as a crucial factor in reducing anxiety and fostering collaboration.    

Transparent Communication: Rekha explains how clear and honest communication, even about difficult topics, can help employees understand and accept changes during M&A. She provides examples of how simulations and detailed explanations can turn perceived disadvantages into benefits.

Cultural Integration: Rekha highlights the importance of honouring the history and achievements of acquired organizations. She shares successful practices where the legacy of the acquired company was blended into the new organization's story, fostering pride and inclusion.  

Restructuring with Dignity: Rekha recounts a successful restructuring process at a multinational bank, which involved meticulous planning, transparent communication, and opportunities for growth and lateral movement. She emphasizes the importance of handling redundancies with dignity and supporting outplacement.

Collaboration and Common Good: Reflecting on her experiences, Rekha underscores the value of collaboration and working towards a common good. She experienced that transparent communication and a focus on collective success can lead to better outcomes for both individuals and organizations.

Join us as Rekha Nair shares her insights and practical strategies for navigating complex organizational changes with empathy and respect. Listen now or read the transcript

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Rekha Nair and Her Work

01:35 Mergers and Acquisitions: Building Trust and Respect

04:52 Transparent and continuous communication to reduce anxiety

06:52 Explaining the process by making a simulation for employees

09:50 Aligning employees to work for a common purpose

12:05 Merging cultures by a free flow between the old and new organisation

13:14 Honour the glory of the acquired organisation

16:11 Restructuring with dignity: The success story of a multinational bank

29:27 Anchoring the change

32:07 Reflecting on collaboration: The gains of working on a common good

34:18 Outro

More info:

Align HR

Rekha Nair on LinkedIn

In this episode, we welcome Lucy Wairimu Mukuria from Nairobi, Kenya. Lucy shares her insights on how Western people often unconsciously reinforce colonial practices. She recounts personal stories about her experiences with racism and colourism, both in Kenya and internationally. Lucy emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and identity and how these factors contribute to the ability of Africans to stand up for themselves. She also discusses the challenges of social expectations and the impact of historical traumas on contemporary society. Lucy reflects on her 20 years of experience in psychology and the limitations of Western approaches to mental health. She advocates for a broader perspective on normality and abnormality, highlighting the need for cultural inclusivity and understanding. The conversation concludes with a powerful message about the essence of humanity and the necessity of recognizing and celebrating our shared humanity.

Read the transcript

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Understanding Colonial Mindsets

04:54 Identity and Race Dynamics

13:29 Challenging Western Approaches to Mental Health. What is Normal?

18:57 Identity and Mutuality

20:21 Microaggressions

21:12 Understanding Socialization and Cultural Inclusivity

27:14 The Essence of Humanity, Finding Our Centre

39:16 Outro

More information

Lucy Wairimu Mukuria on LinkedIn

The True North Kenya

Global Good x Amani

International Humanitarian Award

Discover how a group of visionaries broke traditional hierarchies to develop a collaborative model for funding governance. In this episode, we delve into the challenges and successes of co-creating a blueprint for systemic transformation. Learn how shared ownership and action learning led to blueprints for innovative funding practices. Hear firsthand accounts of how the team of the Blueprint Project 2023 navigated the complexities of shifting power dynamics and fostering a truly inclusive process. Tune in and be inspired by Ben’s stories of regenerative funding, the power of collaboration, and the potential for creating a more equitable future.

Transcript

 Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ben Roberts and His Background

03:06 Exploring Large Group Engagement and Technology

04:39 Case Study: Collaborative Paper on FundingGovernance

08:48 The Process of Collaboration and Its Challenges

13:30 Activating the Blueprint: Moving Beyond theDocument

15:19 Reflections on Collaboration and CulturalDifferences

19:32 The Importance of Clarity and Vision inCollaboration

23:59 Future Directions and Reimagining FinancialSystems

More information

Ben Roberts on LinkedIn

Blueprint 8: Funding Governance for Systemic Transformation (pdf)

Website R3: Redesign Resilience Regeneration

In this episode, we welcome Cihan Koral, a seasoned facilitator and consultant based in Istanbul. Cihan shares her rich experiences working with diverse groups, focusing on social change and inclusivity within organizations. She provides stories illustrating the importance of consciousness, trust, and perspective in facilitation. Cihan emphasizes the need for understanding privilege and guilt in organizational settings and advocates for Deep Democracy practices to foster open dialogue and transformation. She concludes with a vision for the future of facilitation, highlighting its potential for healing and empowerment. Tune in to learn from real-life examples and gain practical insights into the power dynamics in leadership and the need for safe spaces to foster honest conversations. Read transcript

Chapters

00.00    Introduction to Cihan Koral and her work

02.59    Creating inclusive spaces in facilitation

06.10    The role of consciousness of power in facilitation

08.58    The experience with blue-collar workers: Music as a language

12.08    Who feels most guilty? Levelling the playing field also for CEOs

15.08    Changing perspective: Prison employees becoming conscious of their own imprisonment

23.46    Stop ignoring the gap between civil life and duty life; see yourself as a whole person

26.57    Cihan’s wish for the future of facilitation: holding space for people to experience a different version of themselves

More information

Cihan Koral

Deep Democracy Turkey

Network Shift Balance

Join us as Laure Bruère-Dawson shares her journey as a French facilitator, creating safe spaces for conversations that matter. She talks about the Conversation Forum, an event designed to bring people together during COVID-19, and how it developed into a yearly event. Laure highlights the importance of diversity, youth involvement, and listening across generations. She shares striking stories about the impact of young participants. Discover how these forums build strong connections and inspire inclusive dialogue. The theme of the event for 2025 is ‘If we shared the topics we really care about for next year, what might we discover?’. Laure invites you to expand the format of the Conversation Forum to other countries and other languages. Transcript

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Laure Bruère-Dawson

02:07 The Story of the Conversation Forum

05:06 Challenges and Successes of the First Event

09:06 Diversity and Inclusion in Participation

13:46 Impact of Young Participants

18:35 The Evolution of the Conversation Forum

22:40 The Importance of Listening Across Generations

27:05 Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts

More info