What does it take to truly collaborate?

How can leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued, trust is nurtured, and meaningful conversations drive innovation?

Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is a podcast for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of collaboration in their organisations and lives.

Hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd, co-founders of Collaboration Equation™, this show explores the essential elements of psychological safety, inclusive dialogue, and diversity of thought and feeling, helping you cultivate a mindset of curiosity, care, and courage.

Each episode delves into real-world leadership challenges, expert insights, and powerful stories from those who are finding their Collaborative Edge™. Whether you’re a senior leader, team manager, or someone passionate about creating human-centred workplaces, this podcast will inspire you to build connections, embrace difference, and lead with authenticity.

Join the conversation and start your journey towards more impactful, collaborative leadership.

Find out more at: www.collaborationequation.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: Collaboration Equation

In this episode of Finding Your Collaborative Edge™, Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd are in conversation with Ali Mapletoft - Artist, creative consultant, and founder of Creative Oxygen™ - whose work supports leaders and teams to reimagine how we work, relate and innovate together. Together, they explore why creativity is not just a “nice to have” in leadership and life, but a vital force with the power to save lives. From quick decision-making in A&E to the role of self-expression in mental health and recovery, Ali, Lucy and Anni make the case for creativity as essential - not just for innovation, but for creating cultures of connection..

Through their lens of Curiosity, Care and Courage, Anni and Lucy invite Ali to share how she works with leaders and teams to reimagine what’s possible. They discuss her belief that creativity is magic, and that this magic is essential. Not separate from strategy or systems, but central to how we create the conditions for collaboration and find our Collaborative Edge™.

1. The role of creativity as a human capacity - not just a talent for the few
2. The Creative Oxygen Wheel: a practical framework for understanding how we access and apply creativity
3. Why it’s time to shift from “quality over quantity” for collaboration to thrive
4. How leaders can build simple, creative rituals into daily working life to create space for reflection and open conversation
5. The impact of collective creative energy to spark change across systems and cultures
6. And why choosing both logic and magic helps us find new ways of leading, collaborating and creating together

1. Believe in your own creative capacity - trust that it’s there

What does it take to truly collaborate?

How can leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued, trust is nurtured, and meaningful conversations drive innovation?

Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is a podcast for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of collaboration in their organisations and lives.

Hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd, co-founders of Collaboration Equation™, this show explores the essential elements of psychological safety, inclusive dialogue, and diversity of thought and feeling—helping you cultivate a mindset of curiosity, care, and courage.

Each episode delves into real-world leadership challenges, expert insights, and powerful stories from those who are finding their Collaborative Edge™. Whether you’re a senior leader, team manager, or someone passionate about creating human-centred workplaces, this podcast will inspire you to build connections, embrace difference, and lead with authenticity.

Join the conversation and start your journey towards more impactful, collaborative leadership.

Find out more at: www.collaborationequation.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: Collaboration Equation

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

In this episode we are delighted to be in conversation with Kat Parsons, Group Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Centrica

Together we explore:

• The power of open questions to create connection and build trust
• How diversity metrics can get in the way of inclusive behaviours—and how to move beyond them
• What it means to invite others to feel what it’s like for someone else
• Finding freedom in career change and personal rebranding
• The courage it takes to step aside, so others can step forward
• Knowing when, and how, to ask for help—and to receive it

Kat’s three encouragements to invite you to explore your Collaborative Edge™:

1. Find the areas you are less comfortable with, get curious and immerse yourself
2. Notice the differences between you and others and create some flex to meet each other well
3. Real success is seeing others find their voice to step up and lead the way

About Kat:

Kat is the Group Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Centrica, a thought leader who has experience driving company wide cultural change and inclusion where all colleagues feel they belong - Every Colleague Counts: Powering Inclusion: Fuelling Change.

Kat’s passion and drive for change led her to join the Fellowship of Leaders, appear on the HIVE Top 75 D&I leads in EMEA and the WiTHL Women to Watch list, The Pride Power List is 2023 and 2024 as well as multiple Head of D&I Awards. Kat’s work supported ISS receiving a highly Commended commendation at the European Diversity Awards.

Connect and collaborate with Kat:

On LinkedIn

On Instagram

Learn about Centrica : https://www.linkedin.com/company/centrica/

Learn about Work Boutique :

What does it take to truly collaborate?

How can leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued, trust is nurtured, and meaningful conversations drive innovation?

Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is a podcast for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of collaboration in their organisations and lives.

Hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd, co-founders of Collaboration Equation™, this show explores the essential elements of psychological safety, inclusive dialogue, and diversity of thought and feeling—helping you cultivate a mindset of curiosity, care, and courage.

Each episode delves into real-world leadership challenges, expert insights, and powerful stories from those who are finding their Collaborative Edge™. Whether you’re a senior leader, team manager, or someone passionate about creating human-centred workplaces, this podcast will inspire you to build connections, embrace difference, and lead with authenticity.

Join the conversation and start your journey towards more impactful, collaborative leadership.

Find out more at: www.collaborationequation.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: Collaboration Equation

In this episode we are delighted to be in conversation with Barrie Millett, Security and Resilience Leader, Crisis Management Expert, Collaboration Champion, Mitie.

Together we explore:

• The fear of appearing to need others - and why real strength lies in connection
• The power of self-awareness as the foundation for leadership
• Building a circle of trusted confidants who challenge and support you
• Why fun isn’t a bonus - it’s essential to performance
• How trust and commitment fuel the cycle of collaboration

Barrie’s three encouragements to invite you to explore your Collaborative Edge™:

1. Understand yourself especially what drives and excites you
2. Build a diverse team of confidants around you
3. Remember to have fun!!

Connect and collaborate with Barrie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barriejm/

Learn about Mitie : https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitie/

Learn about the Royal Marines Charity : https://www.linkedin.com/company/thermcharity/posts/?feedView=all

In this conversation we referenced the book Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. Learn more about Chloe here: https://www.chloedalton.uk

Thank you to you, the listener and viewer.

And a huge thank you to Brown Bear Studios for the production of our show, to SHMOGUS Media and Pennywriting for the marketing of it.

Please share, subscribe and continue to join us in Finding Your Collaborative Edge™.