The E3 Approach

My approach is grounded in understanding, respect, academic rigour, and manaakitanga. I don't believe in quick fixes and simplistic solutions to complex problems. In my 20 years as an educational and organisational developer, I've never encountered a 'standard' situation that could be solved with mythical 'best practice’. If it were that easy, we would have done it already. Each issue in contextualised and unique, and requires a bespoke, tailor-made solution.

I also don't believe in a consulting model where I tell you what to do, or how to do it. I work from a consultative, peer model, where the client brings their knowledge, I bring mine, and together we create a solution that is fit-for-purpose for your particular context. In this peer model, we create something that neither one of us could have done on our own, for the benefit of the organisation. The first whakataukī illustrates this approach: “With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive”.

Meaningful change often does not require big overhauls. Attempts at what I refer to as 'big splash' projects all too often turn into 'big thud' projects as momentum stalls, and implementation on the ground fails to materialise. More often than not, it is a series of small changes, implemented over time, well-supported and well-integrated into business-as-usual, that make the big changes. In my practice, I take an evolutionary, rather than a revolutionary approach. Ultimately, changes need to be self-led and self-sustained, so that they don’t rely on externals. The second whakataukī illustrates this: Adorn the bird with feathers, so it may fly.