Working at the intersection of strategy, co-design and system change. Nazanin can help you with:
Strategy, Collaborative Problem Solving, Brokering Partnerships, Workshop Facilitation,
Change Programmes, Collaborative Leadership Training, Mentoring, Storytelling and Report Writing
Strategy, Collaborative Problem Solving, Brokering Partnerships, Workshop Facilitation,
Change Programmes, Collaborative Leadership Training, Mentoring, Storytelling and Report Writing
Facilitating Complexity | Strategist | Partnerships Broker | Catalysing Change
Nazanin - Persian: نازنین
also Romanized as "Nāzanīn" Persian Pronunciation: naaːzæ:niːn Meaning: Beloved |
Moving collaboration beyond a buzzword I am a convener of safe spaces where all the voices can be heard. Together we deliberate complex strategic issues, to support collaborative problem solving and innovative solutions. As a true 'pracademic' - I deliver well researched thought leadership, translated into practitioner friendly frameworks. We are increasingly working with uncertainty and complexity; but complex doesn't have to be complicated. It has been said of me, "...she presents a complex topic in a way that others can understand and work with". I have the unique ability (skills, experience, wisdom, warmth, insight, foresight and fortitude) to walk into “sticky” relationships and help diverse groups to navigate a great collaborative outcome. I feel the fear and do it anyway. I trust my instincts and my competence using a variety of frameworks, models and processes. Like a great chef I no longer rely on the recipe books, but source from a font of experience and knowledge, to adapt to the environment and context. |
DELIVERABLES
I am passionate about facilitating safe spaces where diverse people can hear each other and work together. It has been my joy and privilege to see the "light bulb moments" of shared understanding towards shared purpose; and, in particular the corporate and personal "healing" that ensues. Together, we have delivered:
TANGIBLE OUTCOMES
I am passionate about facilitating safe spaces where diverse people can hear each other and work together. It has been my joy and privilege to see the "light bulb moments" of shared understanding towards shared purpose; and, in particular the corporate and personal "healing" that ensues. Together, we have delivered:
- Shared Value and Collective Impact
- Assurance of Value for Money
- Integrated, population focused local services for whānau
- System and Organisational Change
- Whole System Prioritised Investments
- Collective Policy Initiatives
TANGIBLE OUTCOMES
- Partnerships and collaborations that are bounded around policies, services, opportunities, geography, population, desired outcomes or combination thereof.
- Deeper understanding of the collaboration package. Working with an external facilitator frees you to focus on your responsibilities and mandates an independent individual to manage support mechanisms, ensuring programme momentum.
- In-house collaborative capability - which enables new cultures and nudges change.
- The benefits of collaboration: new behaviours and skills; improved cultures & relationships; customer retention; efficiency & effectiveness gains.
An edict to collaborate doth not collaboration make. More often than not, the systems, cultures and structures we operate in close the door to collaboration, because they incentivise "solutions" and "known-knowns". It can feel like failure to say "I don't know" - but maybe, just maybe, if we could have permission to say, "I know someone who does" or "I know who to talk to" or "Let's gather and discuss"; then we create an environment where solutions emerge — together.
Nazanin Jenkin
HIGHLIGHTS
DisruptHR, Wellington
On 3 June 2021 I had the privilege to speak at DisruptHR, Wellington.
We've been talking about Collaboration for a while now, but mostly we've reduced it to little more than a buzzword. Moving collaboration beyond a buzzword is all our responsibility, but we need to know how to do that. At this event I briefly outlined a framework. I'd be delighted to talk with you more about this and help you roll it out for your team or organisation.
In my five mins (20 slides, rolling at 15s intervals!), I identified that
You can listen to the five minutes recording here.
Email me if you'd like a copy of the slides.
We've been talking about Collaboration for a while now, but mostly we've reduced it to little more than a buzzword. Moving collaboration beyond a buzzword is all our responsibility, but we need to know how to do that. At this event I briefly outlined a framework. I'd be delighted to talk with you more about this and help you roll it out for your team or organisation.
In my five mins (20 slides, rolling at 15s intervals!), I identified that
- Collaboration is not for everything
- An edict to collaborate doth not collaboration make (or just because you put it in a document, it doesn't make it happen!).
- Avoiding conflict at all costs is not an option, we need to be ready to 'wrangle' a bit. Adam Kahane talks about 'stretch' collaboration and in my research folk talked about 'real vs false' collaboration.
- We need conveners of spaces where diverse perspectives can be heard.
- Collaboration is a stand-alone skill set.
- We need to invest in building the collaboration muscle.
You can listen to the five minutes recording here.
Email me if you'd like a copy of the slides.
My 'big idea' shared and featured in VisionWeekNZ 2020
Parts of this video were used as the closing comments (1:47) for the final session of #visionweeknz, 8-12 June 2020
The theme for this session: What Next NZ; looking to the future and implementing some of these ideas. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden's Address @ 30 mins.
The theme for this session: What Next NZ; looking to the future and implementing some of these ideas. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden's Address @ 30 mins.
PUBLICATIONS & WHITE PAPERS
Collaboration: From buzzword to reality (Apolitical, June 2020)
In this article I consider academic research, the opportunities provided through the Wellbeing agenda and outline three key areas for consideration:
- Why collaborate - is there a shared agenda?
- Collaboration requires time and investment, so it's best suited to the most complex systemic opportunities.
- Collaboration is a stand-alone skill set and leadership approach - we need to invest in that
The key to unlocking untapped solutions and hope for mankind is to be willing to work collaboratively, across all kinds of differences.
For a better, kinder, more inclusive future we urgently need public servant leaders who empower and enable collaborators across the system.
Quotes from 'Collaboration: From buzzword to reality, Nazanin Jenkin
Collaboration for Regional Impact (2020)
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Through the New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 I collaborated with Kerry Topp to bring our thoughts together in this four-part series. As strategic advisors and practitioners in their respective fields of expertise across the collaboration and partnerships portfolio they offered some of their collaboration insights for regions and local communities in New Zealand. The original articles were posted on various social media platforms and to date have clocked thousands of views. Every indication is that this was an important conversation and folk were looking for practical solutions.
On 23 April 2021 the Minister of Local Government, the Honourable Nanaia Cybele Mahuta, established a Review into the Future for Local Government. This review provides an even stronger platform that identifies the value and relevance of this four-part series and we offer it here again, as a contribution to the wider conversation and a gift for those working towards a better future for Aotearoa. |
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Working Towards Working Together (IPANZ, 2016)
My research on collaboration in the New Zealand context delivered ground-breaking thought leadership.
A summary article was published by Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) and can be downloaded below.
A summary article was published by Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) and can be downloaded below.
First Book
I'm working on my first book - (provisionally) Collaboration Insights: A guide for successful collaborations & partnerships. This will bring together many years of practice and quality research.
Collaboration is the intersection between Strategy, Co-Design and System Change. It is the pinnacle of a strengths-based approach to working relationships. We acknowledge that the opportunity or desired outcome(s) requires the collective strengths; we identify what we bring to the table and what others bring to the table; then, we work together in the spirit of humility, openness and manaakitanga [kindness, generosity, support, hospitality].
Nazanin Jenkin
PODCAST
Check out my recent kōrero/conversation for the Beyond Consultation podcast series about all this things mahi tahi/collaboration here. This is an authentic/got a bit vulnerable conversation - if you're curious about what I do and want to know more - this might be a good starting point to connect 😀
Check out my recent kōrero/conversation for the Beyond Consultation podcast series about all this things mahi tahi/collaboration here. This is an authentic/got a bit vulnerable conversation - if you're curious about what I do and want to know more - this might be a good starting point to connect 😀
Nazanin Jenkin couldn’t believe it when her big idea was featured alongside Jacinda Ardern in Vision Week 2020. But it should come as no surprise to you if you’ve been following her work on cross-sector collaboration.
She is a fierce advocate for moving collaboration beyond a buzzword. And she has the practical experience to back this up. She began her working life in engineering - thrown into the deep end of bringing diverse views together to make change.
Now, Nasi (as her friends call her), knows that complex doesn't have to be complicated - but that takes effort and experience. If you want to build your collaboration muscles, and move collaboration beyond a buzzword, Nasi is your go-to consultant.
We talked about:
- my journey from engineering to cross-sector collaboration
- my Persian heritage & how that's influenced my work
- the reason why most collaboration is doomed to be nothing but a buzzword (and what you can do to prevent that)
- the steps you can take to build your collaboration muscles
- how and when slowing down can speed you up
- why it is so important to acknowledge the past when envisioning the future