What is a Huddle?
This is the opportunity you know you need and never seem to find time for. It’s time to slow down with like-hearted people who are also committed to making the world better. It’s time to get off the busyness wheel; It’s time to breathe out; It’s time to inhale slowly and deeply, fresh air, fresh ideas, new friends, new trajectories.
You’ll be one of eight to ten people, most of whom you won’t know. You’ll bring a personal leadership challenge or opportunity, one that keeps you awake at night dreaming or scheming. Light touch facilitation, deep listening, no performance, no judgment. You’ll work hard. You’ll laugh and you’ll probably cry. It’s been called a kind of madness. We call it a Huddle.
It’s a simple formula. Incredible location, kind and homely hospitality, wonderful people and deeply meaningful conversation.
Country is welcoming; kangaroos, wombats, echidna and birds. Banksia forests, mangroves and bush tracks. Inland inlet out the back door and the sounds of the wild and majestic ocean beaches crashing out the front.
You’ll leave feeling cared for, refreshed, energised and focused.
What have Huddle participants said?
“We’ve listened and inquired – probed and provoked, raked over each others’ innards around the fire.
We became the oldest of new friends
Comfortable in the depths
Innocent of the shallows
This is some madness!”
“The Make it Better team have created a unique and special place, bathed in nature and nurturing for both mind and body, where, through a simple but well crafted program, leaders can bring sticky problems into a safe space, and have them viewed from all angles, prodded and threaded and exposed to the light of day, with a small, select group of people with curious minds and open hearts! Although I’ve been to leadership retreats before, and worked collectively on big problems, this time I brought my problem, and through a beautiful confluence of events was able to find a resolution to something that my eyes alone couldn’t see. Thanks Col, Paul and the team for being a great support crew for me and my organisations.”
“As a senior leader I have been on my fair share of leadership and organizational development courses over the years. The impact of these has been varied and sometime intangible to my daily work. What I absolutely loved about this experience was its intimate size – being together with other CEOs in a safe but challenging space - and working on real challenges that were keeping me awake at night as a senior leader. I had the gift of unpacking and working through is a deliberate manner with very diverse and impressive leaders. I also felt connections I have not experienced previously as all of the leaders were purpose driven – seeking deep change across systems and structures in a myriad of different but connected sectors. Thank you for opening me to this, for extending my network of extraordinary leaders and challenging me to think and address a deep challenge in a new way.”
“The art of conversation is not dead BUT we need to create the conditions and processes to reclaim it and offer permission, time and space to go slow and to go deep.”
“Connecting with people you would not otherwise meet is the best way to disrupt our comfortable and secure ways of thinking and living.”
“Everything from the setting in a natural environment, group facilitation, food, company and time for reflection was refreshing and invigorating. I am grateful to the wonderful group who challenged my thinking, provided space in a secure and trust-filled environment.
“I left with a renewed sense of self respect for giving myself time to think without needing more information to do so.”
Details
Huddles are hosted at Make it Better’s amazing property at 822 Lees Road, Venus Bay, Victoria.
Through the donkey wheel Foundation, Make it Better covers half the $3000 cost per participant, so participants contribute $1500 each to help defray expenses.
There are more photos and a set of frequently asked questions and answers about staying at the Venus Bay property here.
We do ask that you RAT test before departure and do not attend if you feel unwell to ensure the safety of other guests.
Huddle 6: 5th - 8th of March
Huddle 7: 9th - 12th of July
Huddle 8: 8th - 11th of October