Who is Turquoise Flame?
Hello, I'm Kenda Gaynham
... and I'm a collaboration geek.
I've spent most of my working life focusing on it. At this stage, that's a lot of time!
Turquoise Flame was formed in 2011 to support those who want to be intentional and creative in their working collaborations and are willing to use the sparks of that intention and creativity to do so, consciously.
I believe collaboration catalyses and creates real change in the world.
People achieve remarkable things when they work together.
I love to work with inspired and inspiring people, teams, and
organisations and support them to take their conscious-collaboration to the next level.
What clients say...
You may be...
​Turquoise Flame's clients describe themselves as any (and sometimes all) of these.
We work in an emergent, relational way, driven by purpose and focusing on the efficacy and sustainable impact of the work.
We learn, unlearn, and learn anew as we go.
"Okay, sounds good but how would you sum up your approach in practice, briefly?"
Good question. If I had a penny for every time I'd been asked that. The answer isn't simple and yet, it's really simple.
At the heart of it, we collaborate on something real – usually an important piece of work that you need to get done – and in doing so everyone learns how to collaborate better: building capability and capacity to collaborate better in future, too.
We focus our attention not only on what needs to be done and the outcomes to be achieved but we pay attention to how we do it and the human dynamics that either serve or detract from achieving those ends. And, we learn as we go.
We raise awareness of what's happening in real-time, above and below the waterline of what's obvious. And we develop the skills necessary to manage some of the hows with more process and intentionality, to influence the impact in the here and now, and also in future. We actively exercise our conscious collaboration muscles.
"Isn't it obvious how to do this? Why would we bring someone in to work with us?"
Well, this is where you might benefit from my purpose, learning and experience - aka that geekiness mentioned above - intersecting with what you want to achieve.
My story
I began this work in earnest in the early 1990s (yes, in the last century!) when Organisational Development was a very different field and Facilitators weren't ten a penny. A lot has evolved in the intervening years. These days we expect more of each other, our organisations, learning and collaboration spaces, and working partnerships. We recognise that humans are complex, the world is complex, change is complex, and it's all bundled into an intense pace of life. Our relationship with what we do and why we do it, and our ability to adapt creates a need for deeper connections and different skills - to live, lead and work. This is still what gets me out of bed every morning! I have 30 years of ever-evolving experience in organisational and learning development, practised leadership expertise, and a deep understanding of individual and group dynamics, which now inform my work with leaders and groups at all levels across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Over the years, I have actively invested in my development through ongoing formal and informal learning. I have a degree in social sciences and have layered into this a wide range of applied behavioural science, coaching, and facilitation studies and practice. I bring a multicultural background, rich work and life experience, an eclectic blend of theoretical frameworks, practical methodologies, and creative intuition to support those who work with me. I love the interplay of individual behaviours, group dynamics, and the human processes of conscious collaboration to achieve results. I have an enduring belief in the transformational power of learning. It's this combination that I support my clients to work with too.
Is Turquoise Flame a one-woman show?
Often it is. Well, me and you, your team, or your organisation. So not really. Who's involved depends on the work we're doing together.
I bring my commitment to collaboration to how I work with colleagues in the field too. I have a network of amazing associate organisations and individuals with their own experience and expertise, who can be brought onto projects and expand the range of what we can offer.
Anything else to share?
Beyond my passion for our work, I love to travel the world, have lived in five countries on three continents, immerse myself in oceans & seas whenever I can, and enjoy spending time in deep conversation over a good meal with family and friends.
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