A remote-first leadership team faced unclear responsibilities and rising tensions. By asking the right questions up front, designing the retreat around solving real problems, and staying flexible in the moment, the facilitator guided them toward meaningful dialogue. The result? A gathering that not only resolved confusion and friction, but also fostered trust, clarity, and forward momentum.

Wesley, a non-profit in Hamilton was undergoing a big organizational change. It impacted staff jobs and how they delivered services. After consultations led by Sarah Nicole at Optimal Affect, team members and community partners went from feeling uncertainty to being motivated about the future of the organization they were building together.

The value of collective work has never been more apparent. Yet, the success of such endeavours isn't always fruitful—let’s be honest, sometimes it’s kind of a waste of time.

If you want repeatedly successful outcomes it starts with how well you prepare.

On a scale of “exhausted & depleted” to “refreshed & energised”, how are you and your team coming into the new year? These 7 habits for higher employee retention will help you ignite passion, commitment and results.

Team culture is always evolving, but engaging the team in co-designing solutions is a sure way to get the consistent results you want to see. Have you ever come through a period of change unsure of how people are doing or worried about the state of team culture?

Strategy and culture go together like needle and thread—one simply not effective without the other.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire help, here are 7 advantages of hiring a facilitator that you’ll want to consider.