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Client Stories.

Sue

I have known Joanne for over a decade, as a friend, and in many professional roles. During my time as co-chair of the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, I appreciated Joanne’s proficiency, dedication, and vision. She brings her values to her competencies and was a just and collaborative leader. This was not surprising to me given her longstanding personal commitment to building inclusive and just systems and structures into society. But her strategic vision, relational approach, and functional leadership skill were crucial underpinnings to her impact.

Carolyn

I can’t say enough positive things about Big Waves’ self-paced Generative Conflict course.  It was like a great book- where I wanted to savour and revisit everything all over again the moment it ended.  The content is inspiring and curated with such care that it embodies the course concepts of being trauma-informed, inclusive, and relational.  The course truly changed the relationship I have with myself and therefore changed my way of being as a leader.  I had been looking for a course that recognized the elements of conflict and the beauty and innovation that can be created from it- and I found it in Generative Conflict.  It supported me to not be afraid of conflict and appreciate the gift it affords when psychological safety and diversity are present.  The course is considerate of different worldviews and learning styles and provides practical tools and opportunities for practice.  There isn’t a day that I don’t tap into what I have now learned.  And while the course was self-paced, I also appreciated the availability for follow up and support along one’s learning journey.

Annika

As the Executive Director of Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS), I began working with Big Waves in 2021, originally researching the capacity needs of people working and volunteering in Nova Scotia’s community impact organizations, and later transforming our culture to be more inclusive and equitable. It is one of the most authentic, transparent and effective approaches to communication and advice that I have ever encountered. We have also accessed 1:1 coaching services; support for navigating interpersonal tensions; team training sessions on a variety of topics related to generative conflict, self-leadership, and feedback processes; and, team facilitation at meetings and retreats. At a time when burnout is affecting so many of us and conventional ways of working perpetuate discrimination, inequities and work overload, Big Waves is supporting many nonprofits and businesses in their transition to becoming more welcoming workplaces where conflict can be managed effectively and people can bring their full selves with a sense of belonging.

Oren

“In my organization, part of my role is facilitating change and transformation. It can be hard – there’s some burnout, some doubt, some resistance. Over the past couple of years Brook has helped me with multiple strategies to help with motivation, buy-in and engagement. Her knowledge around conflict dynamics, systems change, and group psychology, and her ability to map out power and how it shows up in subtle ways in relationships has been absolutely essential to the successes we have seen.”

Erika

“I first met Brook at a workshop she hosted about Preparing for Difficult Conversations. It made a lasting impression on me, both the skills and techniques I learned, but also the masterly way she facilitated the group and workshop content. Since then, I’ve been a participant in various sessions that Brook’s facilitated. She is especially talented at welcoming engagement from participants and transforming it into learning. Her personal examples always feel both revealing and vague enough that I/we could apply them to our own challenges. When Brook sent an email offering individual video coaching, I jumped at the chance to have her skills and energy all to myself: to facilitate ME in individual sessions! Our one-on-one meetings started out being really about helping me tackle my work-related panic and anxiety through somatic body work. It was very hard to do, as I tend to be more cognitive/academic, and this technique brings me out of my brain and into my body. She was very attuned to how much I could handle. Over the course of our work together, I have developed my ability to witness difficult experiences, emotions, and sensations, and stay with them without being overwhelmed. I feel so lucky to continue to get to work with Brook now. She has helped me through so many difficult periods and transformations. She has even coached me on my own exploration into coaching others!”

Fiona

“I first reached out to Brook to learn how to better deal with conflicts in my workplace. Whenever there was a conflict, my thoughts, feelings and body would freeze. Within a few sessions, I had mastered the art of leaning into the conversation and staying present to be able to speak my truth. I am so grateful for Brook being present, grounded, and curious, and able to hold space for all of my emotions. Unlike other modalities, doing this somatic work with Brook has allowed me to unearth the subconscious beliefs and create new supportive beliefs that are my go-to now. I am now able to show up in my full power, calm, grounded, and able to speak up and out when the need arises. Thank you for being you and the work that you do Brook!”