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October 2024

Dear friends,

As we prepare to celebrate our third anniversary as Illuminate Collective, we’re reflecting on the magic of the number three. Consider a few of these fun facts:

  • The number three is the only number equal to the sum of the previous numbers. For this and other reasons, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras considered three to be the perfect  number – a number of harmony and understanding.

  • The triangle is considered the most stable shape in construction and engineering.

  • All colors are derived from three primary colors.

  • The “rule of three” suggests that words and ideas expressed in groups of three are more memorable and resonant with people.

We’ve also experienced the magic of the number three in our ongoing partnership with Natalie Basham. Natalie has been a friend and colleague for more than a decade. Anyone who knows her has experienced her warmth, empathy and powerful insights about how we build community.  Over the past three years, Natalie has joined us at Illuminate Collective to coach leaders and teams in a range of contexts, and we have loved making an impact as a trio. We’ve featured Natalie in our Partner Spotlight, where you can read more about her insightful leadership and the coaching and facilitation we’ve done together over the past three years.

In our third year of Illuminate Collective, we’re excited to tap into the power of three as we:

  • Continue to collaborate with and learn from Natalie and other incredible colleagues.

  • Expand our offerings related to developing managers and building team culture.

  • Coach our amazing clients to lean into what is magical and true about their leadership.

Hopefully those last three ideas will be memorable and sticky! 😊

Join us!

Learning and Growing with the Enneagram

We were thrilled to partner with Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative to lead a series of Enneagram workshops at The Lodge at Woodloch in August. We had inspiring conversations with our workshop participants about the Enneagram as a tool for building self awareness and understanding our opportunities for growth. We’ll be heading back to Woodloch on January 31st – February 2nd to lead another Enneagram workshop series. You can learn more here if you’d like to join us!

We’re excited to expand our Enneagram offering to introduce the Enneagram for Teams as a framework for building more cohesive, trusting and effective teams. We can provide both live and virtual sessions during team retreats that are designed for your context. Please reach out if you’d like to schedule an exploratory call to learn more.

Free “Discover Your Enneagram Type” Session

To celebrate our third year of partnership as Illuminate Collective, we’re offering a free “Discover Your Enneagram Type” session with our friend Cat from Rosemary Collaborative on November 8th at 12 PM EST.

In this sixty minute session, participants will learn foundational concepts of the Enneagram and engage in a brief assessment to discover their Enneagram type. We’re excited to share our appreciation for the Enneagram with you! Please register below by date to reserve a spot.  Spaces are limited.

Register here!

Partner Spotlight

Natalie Basham

We’ve been partnering with our amazing friend Natalie Basham to provide facilitation, consulting and coaching services to a range of clients over the past three years. We’ve delivered trainings on building a values-aligned culture, engaging in productive conflict and coaching and developing your team as a manager. We’ve coached leaders on diversity, equity and inclusion and supported racial equity pilots within organizations. And we’ve deepened our connection as colleagues and friends who are constantly learning and also laughing a lot. 

In her work as the founder of N.O.V.A. Services (Not Only Vision, but Action), Natalie specializes in building the capacity of individuals and teams to lead sustainable change and engage in healthy conflict.  N.O.V.A. Services provides a variety of employee relations and workplace culture services such as third-party reviews, culture assessments, mediation, ombuds services, grievance investigations, conflict coaching and restorative dialogue. You can learn more about Natalie’s experience and offerings here.

Third Anniversary Speed Round with Marion & Miwa

Marion

Current Favorite Training or Design Topic:  Collaborative Learning Spaces for Managers

Quality You Appreciate in Miwa:  Her genuine, heart-felt approach to life, work and people!

Favorite Song for a Facilitation Playlist:  “Rise Up” by Andra Day

Miwa

Current Favorite Training or Design Topic: Foundational aspects of team culture (the “Culture Engine”) for start up organizations

Quality You Appreciate in Marion: Abundant enthusiasm (in both life and work!)

Favorite Song for a Facilitation Playlist: “Golden” by Jill Scott or “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers

Gratitude

As we celebrate three years of partnership, we’re grateful for the inspiring clients we collaborate with every day and the opportunity to do work that we truly love. We’re excited to lean into the magic of the number three with you this year!

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa