I am an experienced speaker, with the primary feedback I receive being around keeping things real and engaging.
I am available for speaking engagements on a range of topics including:
- Our VaccineNation – Tips, tools and strategies to live with the current Pandemic and navigate relationships given the current vaccination mandates
- Managing Conflict – Understanding the process of conflict and how to engage in it constructively
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Why bother with this in the workplace and how can it bring you benefits both at home and at work
- Stakeholder Engagement – How to create meaningful connections to facilitate long lasting relationships
- Leadership – How to Guides are one thing ; what about the things that get in the way of actually doing it?
- Navigating Change – Evidence based strategies and contemporary theories to support wellbeing and innovation during times of change
Upcoming engagements
Past engagements
With COVID changing the way we work and live, there are many considerations for how to support health and wellbeing in the workplace, as well as ensure the ongoing development of capability at all levels.
A significant area which has the potential to rapidly change, and impact social and organisational cohesion is vaccination. There is a continuum of views, beliefs and behaviors on this subject which often evoke intense emotions. With at least 1 in 10 New Zealanders not being vaccinated, and the Government’s mandatory requirements for workplaces and employees; there is an unprecedented need to have these conversations, made difficult decisions and provide support.
Most people ask me questions about why people are choosing not to be vaccinated and the active exclusion of these individuals and communities is a common reaction.
In this session, Sam will explore some of the reasons for vaccination beliefs with a focus on practical steps that can be taken to maintain relationships during these challenging times.
- Understanding our own individual and organisational default communication styles
- How to be inclusive when I don’t understand or agree
- Leaning into the discomfort of sometimes getting it wrong
2020 was an unprecedented year with Covid-19 and increased awareness and consciousness around the Black Lives Matter Movement. The ongoing discrimination and prejudice faced by people of colour and marginalised groups and it’s subsequent disparities are indisputable. Aren’t they? When I share racist experiences with some, the response is “I can’t believe it”; “Why is that?”
I will offer a paradigm shift in how DE&I is seen, felt, valued and ultimately lived within organisations and our everyday lives. Using evidence, compassion, empathy and lived experiences, I am committed to supporting our ongoing journeys towards real DE&I and creating a real fair go for all.
We all have an opinion of DE&I and ask if any of the following sound familiar?
- No-one did me any favours
- What you put in is what you get out
- We all have the same chances
- Success comes from hard work
- I judge myself and others by their reactions
If you want to understand more about how you think, learn and treat others then come along to this workshop. After all, creating a real fair go is a matter of the heart and not the head. Are you willing to find out more?
- Identify common myths re: the assessment of risk and safety
- Provide an evidence based understanding of aggressive behaviour
- Outline some mitigation of aggression strategies
- Provide a systematic approach to analysing the risk of situations
- Enhance understanding of the critical role of inclusion in safety
Often the terms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and similarly named initiatives, are associated with institutions or corporates. There is also a common belief (albeit a myth) that this area is the domain of adults and not relevant for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
In fact, the theory and research highlight the critical role of talking openly to children about matters of race, justice and equity. It can even be argued that the absence of this discourse in ECE is an important factor in adults (including teachers and those working with children) experiencing high levels of discomfort in identifying, discussing, or raising these issues.
This short session draws on contemporary research and evidence to explore:-
- What Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means within the context of ECE
- The relevance of this area in ECE
The implications of not considering this as an area of competence
- What is conflict and why does it happen?
- What factors facilitate escalation and what factors disinhibit escalation of a conflict?
- Tips to manage and de-escalate conflict
