Working With Organisations:
Communication, Collaboration and Motivation
A narrative-based approach to how communication works
Most communication training works on the surface — techniques, structure, delivery. This touches the layer underneath: the stories we're already carrying when we walk into any conversation and how they influence what we hear and how we respond to each other.
Every message we send is shaped by the stories we're already carrying. Every message we receive is filtered through them.
This means that in any team, any meeting, any difficult conversation, people are never quite hearing the same thing — and that gap is where misunderstanding, misalignment, and disconnection take hold.
Jacqueline Harris works with layered storying — a methodology developed across 25 years of professional practice. She creates experiential trainings that helps teams communicate more honestly, collaborate more effectively, and carry less of the stress that comes from feeling chronically misunderstood.
This is not conventional training. It is a rigorous, embodied process that challenges and changes how people listen, speak, and show up for each other. The results last beyond the room.
SIGNATURE WORKSHOP
The Secret Life of Stories:
Communication, Collaboration and Connection
HALF-DAY EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP . UP TO 20 PARTICIPANTS . £ 750
On the surface it might look as though something is said and everyone receives the same information, but communication is a shared act — information doesn't land on passive ears. Each of us hears things differently, depending on the stories we're already bringing internally to the conversations.
This workshop makes that invisible process visible. Through live demonstration and structured reflection, participants discover how their own narrative frameworks are shaping what they hear, what they say, and how they connect — or fail to connect — with the people around them.
The result is not just insight. It is a practical shift in how people communicate, collaborate, and navigate complexity together.
PARTICIPANTS LEAVE WITH:
A practical understanding of why communication breaks down and how to close the gap
Greater awareness of the assumptions and stories we bring to every conversation
Seeing the possibility of intentional and honest collaboration under pressure
A shared language for navigating complexity and difference together
Full days and bespoke trainings are also available.
Workshop on the Stories We Tell Ourselves
“The biggest thing I took away was how we’re always making up stories and how aware it’s made me of the stories I tell myself and to “poke” those stories and see if that’s “really true”. Mostly it isn’t! Thoroughly enjoyable, engaging and thought-provoking”
- Lesa Vallantine
TESTIMONIALS ACROSS MY WORK
Performance at the International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh
“Accomplished and thought-provoking, ‘Slowing Down to the Speed of Light’ is a valiant and superbly genial exploration of life, ADHD, and more.”
-W.J. Quinn, The Quintessential Review, Edinburgh
CPD and Creative Learning
“We met up with Susan and Michelle from Ackworth Howard school last week and both were absolutely raving about the work you did and the difference it made. I can honestly say you’ve had some of the best feedback we’ve ever had!”
-Debra Kidd, Integrate Arts, Wakefield
Teacher Training
The teachers’ INSET as you could tell, was a hugely enjoyable day. Teachers commented: “I had a wonderful time... I feel more confident... I realise the value of personalising the story for different audiences...thoroughly enjoyable...very motivating.”
- David Smith, Mid-Pennine Arts
THE METHODOLOGY
What makes this
genuinely different
Layered storying is a rigorous practice grounded in ethnology, narrative theory, and over two decades of live performance, collaboration and facilitation — developed by Jacqueline Harris through her research at the University of Edinburgh and her work with organisations across the UK.
It works because it reaches the places conventional training doesn't. Not the surface of behaviour, but the stories beneath, the narratives each person is living in, the way that this shapes everything we do and how making this process visible creates new opportunities for productive and creative communication, collaboration and connection.
Arts and Heritage Organisations
Theatres, galleries, museums, and arts bodies — for creative teams navigating the gap between artistic vision and organisational culture, and for workforces where story is already the native language.
WHO COMMISSIONS THIS WORK
Higher education
Universities and sector bodies: for academic and professional services teams, cross-departmental collaboration, and leadership programmes focused on inclusion and staff wellbeing.
Values-led organisations
B Corps, social enterprises, cultural institutions, and ethical businesses — for teams working to close the gap between stated values and lived daily culture.
Health & social care
NHS trusts, integrated care boards, and health education bodies — for leadership cohorts, multidisciplinary team development, and workforces navigating change and sustained pressure.
To discuss your organisation's needs, explore what format might be the right fit for your organisation, please get in touch directly. All work is available across the UK.