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™.

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 Di Spindley, Head of Delivery for Technology at Currys and Amy Glynn of Hydrogen group.

Together we explore:

• The importance of clarity in creating purposeful collaboration
• Bringing the best version of yourself into your collaborations
• What it means to build human connection in a virtual world
• The value of actively caring for colleagues and leading with love
• Being in collaboration with AI to create organisational value

Di and Amy’s encouragements to invite you to explore your Collaborative Edge™:

1. Get comfortable being uncomfortable to discover the growth moments that often come through failing and learning
2. Trust yourself to discover your own path
3. Check in with people - be nice!

ABOUT Di and Amy:

Di Spindley has worked in the Retail, Media & Entertainment sectors for 20yrs leading complex transformation programmes ranging from fashion, e-commerce, supply chain, infrastructure and digital. She is currently Head of Delivery at Currys and is passionate about E,D&I Chairing the Tech D&I committee and co-Chairs the Women’s Network.

Amy Glynn has worked in the technology sector for over 6 years, a large portion of this was in DEI ~ growing a global community and helping companies to hire more diversely across technology teams. She now works for Hydrogen Group adding all this experience to workforce solutions for technology clients.

Connect and collaborate with Di and Amy:

LinkedIn: Di Spindley

LinkedIn: Amy Glynn

Learn about Currys and Hydrogen Group:

LinkedIn: Currys

LinkedIn: Hydrogen Group

Thank you to you, the listener and viewer. And a huge thank you to Brown Bear Studios for the production of our show, and to SHMOGUS MEDIA for...

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 Jatin Patel, Inclusion & Diversity Director at England Rugby, the governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England.

Together we explore:

• The role of healthy team culture and collaboration in sport
• Why inclusion has to come before diversity with collaboration as a key enabler
• The need to get curious about the underlying beliefs shaping our behaviours
• Recognising how it feels to meet our own edges and what we need to venture beyond
• How encouragement from others feeds our confidence, courage and self-belief

Jatin’s three encouragements to invite more people to find their Collaborative Edge™:

1. Start with yourself and seek to understand beyond what you think you already know
2. Don't underestimate how important being a good listener is to really know the issues deeply
3. Find the courage to be yourself and let that shine through

ABOUT JATIN:

Jatin has spent 15 years working in the inclusion and social equality space. With a focus on inclusion first – adapting behaviours, decision-making, and ways of working to develop cultures which allow diversity to flourish – Jatin has driven impactful and sustained change in a multitude of sectors. This includes developing policy positions on behalf of charities working to improve education and employment outcomes for young people from low-income backgrounds, embedding systemic focus on social mobility at KPMG UK, to designing and delivering international staff engagement programmes at DLA Piper.

Jatin is presently the Inclusion and Diversity Director at the Rugby Football Union and a member of the organisation’s Leadership Team. In this role, Jatin’s strategic focus is on the improving the experiences and representation of under-represented groups participating across the grassroots and elite end of the game, embedding inclusion into leadership structures in rugby, working with commercial partners to establish collaborative approaches to scaling inclusion and diversity ambitions, and evolving the organisation’s employee life cycle. Outside of Rugby, Jatin is a Non-Executive Director at Sussex County Cricket Club.

Connect and collaborate with Jatin Patel:

LinkedIn: Jatin Patel

Learn about England Rugby:

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 James Renwick, Recast Coaching Ltd.. Recast Coaching offers a space to reframe your thoughts, renew your energy and reimagine your future; and Tony Spong Lead Consultant at AAR. AAR works with brands to design marketing ecosystems, building inspiring partnerships and driving commercial performance.

Together we explore:

• The excitement when collaboration feels right
• How growth happens at our edges to help us go beyond our limits
• The risk of overusing collaboration and the importance of consciously choosing it
• The importance of creating the right conditions for collaboration
• How a sense of belonging helps build the commitment to driving collective success

Four of Tony and James’s encouragements to invite more people to find their Collaborative Edge™:

1. Be clear about what collaboration is and how you can use it for the greatest value
2. Design the physical and social space necessary to create the right environment
3. Create a culture of belonging where people are committed to and energised by collaborative success
4. Talk less and listen more - to truly understand rather than just respond

To connect and collaborate with Tony Spong, and James Renwick do follow them on LinkedIn.

During our conversation we mention the following references:

Nancy Kline’s book - A Time to Think

Accenture Song’s research on the Life Trends 2025 and Social rewilding

Please do share, reshare and subscribe to our podcast Finding Your Collaborative Edge™.

Thank you to you, the listener and viewer....

Welcome to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™, hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd.

This short introductory explainer invites you into the heart of our work—helping leaders, teams, and professionals live and lead with more curiosity, care, and courage.

🔶 Why psychological safety matters in collaboration

🔶 How meaningful connection is built before you’re even in the room

🔶 The role of intention and behaviour in leadership

🔶 The beginnings of our Collaboration Equation™

We created this podcast to help you unlock new ways of working, foster inclusive dialogue, and find your own Collaborative Edge™.

🔗 Learn more at: www.collaborationequation.com

🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: Collaboration Equation

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 our conversation with Emma Edwards, CEO of Spotlight Young Onset Parkinson’s and Dawn Harding Trustee of Spotlight YOPD we explore:

• What it means to truly collaborate.
• What Emma and Dawn have learnt through their leadership and life experiences about the value of collaboration
• Why collaboration and partnership are so important to the charity. And the impact of these collaborations on raising awareness of Young Onset of Parkinson’s
• What they have noticed in their collaborations, and partnerships, in particular with the NHS, Parkinson’s UK and other communities, and organisations that facilitate successful collaboration
• What can sometimes hinder, and get in the way of collaboration
• How bringing the mindset and behaviours of Curiosity, Care and Courage helps people find their Collaborative Edge™
• And finally what has helped them to find their Collaborative Edge™

Emma and Dawn’s key encouragements to finding your Collaborative Edge:

1. Build a community through conversations that raise awareness for people, clinicians, family members, and the wider community.
2. Stretch yourself! You may be a professional in a field, however you can add a huge amount to a lot of small charities who need your skills especially in IT ,Digital and Communication.
3. Embrace technology, it can help you collaborate and connect with people.
4. Connect with people who have lived experience, and that's true of all sorts of collaborations.
5. Enjoy and have fun in your collaborations no matter how difficult and challenging the issues.

Find out more about Spotlight YOPD:

Go to their website, Spotlight YOPD; follow them on LinkedIn, and follow both Emma Edwards and Dawn Harding on LinkedIn. They would love to connect with and to collaborate with you. Dawn especially is on the hunt for people to share their skills with the charity. Also do follow Gaynor Edwards...

Hello, and welcome to the second Collaboration Equation™ episode in Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd.

Today’s guest is Somya Agrawal, Leader, Collaborator and Motivator and the title of our conversation is Finding your Collaborative Edge™.

Leaders in Conversation is the podcast in which leaders share their life and leadership stories, and in our Collaboration Equation™ episodes their experience of collaborating and how they find their Collaborative Edge™ to encourage you to bring even more curiosity, care and courage to your leadership.

If you are not already please do subscribe to the podcast, review and share it. Thank you!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In our conversation we talk about the application of Collaboration Equation™ and Somya shares her experience of collaboration and offers valuable insights into:

1. Bringing two teams together to get to know each other, to be able to have an open conversation, and how this fast tracks success.

2. Connecting through being vulnerable in sharing her experience of hearing loss and how this has created meaningful connection with others.

3. Creating psychological safety that invites people to give and ask for help, getting what we need from each other and caring about each other.

4. Building trust through being human and authentic with colleagues.

5. Meeting people where they are at, and making time for everyone to have a voice, and for different thoughts and feelings to be heard.

6. Creating a culture of care and connection whether working online or in person.

To connect, follow and find out more about Somya:

LinkedIn: Somya Agrawal

Instagram: @somyaagr

To listen to more Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend visit my website www.annitownend.com

A big thank you to Coco O’Brien for the wonderful intro and outro music, for the lovely design and marketing of the podcast and to Tom at Brown Bear Studios for the excellent production of this episode.

To contact Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd do email us on anni@annitownend.com and lucy@lucykidd.com, or via our dedicated email address connect@collaborationequation.com

To explore more about how to find your Collaborative Edge™, visit our website www.collaborationequation.com, subscribe to our fortnightly Leadership Conversations and follow us on LinkedIn Collaboration Equation™.

We look forward to connecting and collaborating with you, thank you for listening.