“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
~ Rumi
Change starts here
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be seen as someone who contributed to society. Someone who can give support to those who need it, and facilitate change.
But I forgot the need for change within myself.
Now I am older and - I hope - wiser, I know my work is only sustainable if I am constantly challenging and changing my internal thoughts and attitudes. And that is where Focal Element’s work and organisational development starts.
Have we taken the time to look internally and consider ourselves before we start asking others to change?
Letting go of fear, and embracing curiosity
It’s a natural human instinct to be afraid of things we don’t understand. We don’t want to offend anyone, or look silly. Most of us are well intended, and we genuinely want a better society for everyone. But we are all missing the information we need to make decisions that truly include all of us.
Focal Element’s work replaces fear with safety and humour, enabling everyone to ask, listen and share. We embrace natural curiosity, human insight and lived experience as core parts of the people we meet and the work we do.
We build confidence and competence in individual and collective identity, making space for authenticity by getting to know ourselves and others.
Our roadmap
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To create a space for reflective learning that empowers communities and organisations to engage proactively and build sustainable futures.
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To see communities and organisations curiously informed, introspectively empowered, and culturally confident in harnessing their full potential to create change.
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Relational: We intentionally build relationships that sustain long-term movements.
Adaptable: We embrace change and uncertainty with creativity.
Practical: We stay informed and adapt to everyday challenges with agility.
Collaborative: We unite to harness the power of collective action.
Respectful: We embrace diverse perspectives, recognising that differences strengthen us.
Our process
It’s temping to dive straight into creating content after an introduction.
We like to take more of a thoughtful approach, one that prioritises clarity and alignment, and sets the foundation for impactful collaboration.
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Discovery is the foundation of any successful project. We focus on getting to know each organisation so we understand the context of the work. We listen, ask questions, and try to understand the bigger picture.
Purpose: Understand the client’s goals, audience and unique challenges
Activities: Initial consultation, research and gathering insights
Outcome: A clear picture of objectives and expectations
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Detail is where clarity takes center stage. We transform conversations and insights from Discovery into a clear working plan. We establish the scope, outline deliverables, set timelines, and agree on responsibilities.
Purpose: Define the scope and specifics of the project
Activities: Create a detailed brief, outlining deliverables, timelines and responsibilities
Outcome: A documented plan that includes and aligns everyone
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Design is where ideas take shape. We transform the detailed plan into creative concepts and practical solutions. This includes developing content frameworks, visual elements, and facilitation methods. Collaboration is at the heart of this stage. We can share drafts, gather feedback, and keep refining until everything feels right.
Purpose: Develop creative concepts and strategic solutions
Activities: Draft content frameworks, visual mock-ups and messaging guidelines
Outcome: Approved designs and content strategy ready for execution
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Delivery is where everything comes together. We put the agreed plan into action, producing and implementing the final outputs with trust and care. We coordinate resources and maintain open communication to ensure a smooth process.
Purpose: Execute and implement the agreed plan
Activities: Produce content, publish, and monitor performance
Outcome: Completed deliverables with measurable results
