Think Differently
Lessons from extraordinary performers
What can Jonny Wilkinson’s arrival at England training teach us about welcoming people? What can an Olympic hockey team reveal about creating a culture people believe in? And what happens when someone trusts their own judgement because the answer isn’t in the instructions?
Through memorable stories from years of conversations with leading sportspeople and coaches, Alison Kervin OBE explores the conditions that help people perform at their best.
Funny, revealing and thought-provoking, this talk invites audiences to look afresh at their own teams, organisations and everyday behaviour. The stories lead into practical questions about how we welcome people, communicate expectations, recognise contributions and work together through change.
CASE STUDY:
Think Differently at Somerset Moves
“Thank you so much for your amazing speech. I haven’t been able to stop talking about all the stories you told. When you told us about you and the England rugby doctor and the fake injury, I couldn’t stop laughing. I learned so much.”
“After hearing you speak, I’m determined to be braver and to think differently. It’s so easy to get into a rut. I vow to be much braver and ‘think outside the box’ and take risks.”
Alison delivered the keynote speech, workshops and facilitated conversations for people working across physical activity, health, local government, education and community services.
The sessions explored how everyday behaviour shapes people’s experiences, and the culture needed to create lasting change together.
The delegate follow-up invited everyone to consider three questions:
What is one thing you could improve, starting tomorrow?
Are you stuck in the same thought patterns? How could you think differently?
Are you recognising the contributions of the people around you, and your own?
Bring Think Differently to your event
To discuss a keynote, workshop, or facilitated leadership day, contact Alison at ak@alisonkervin.com.
Seven ideas to take back to your organisation
Think differently
When the obvious route is closed, how can we find another? A story from Alison’s early journalism career opens a conversation about creativity, persistence and questioning familiar approaches.
Welcome
An open door is not the same as a welcome. Jonny Wilkinson’s arrival at England training illustrates why even talented, motivated people may need help crossing the threshold. Eric Cantona spoke of being welcomed when he became an actor
Clarity
Small moments reveal our standards. Clive Woodward’s expectations about how England players treated hotel staff show that culture extends well beyond the pitch. Do people understand what good behaviour looks like in everyday encounters?
Ownership
People commit to a culture they have helped create. Great Britain’s hockey players helped shape their team’s values and behaviours. Who has a voice in creating the way your organisation works?
Flexibility
Practise adapting, as well as following a plan. From hockey’s “Thinking Thursdays” to rugby’s T-CUP, Thinking Correctly Under Pressure, Alison explores how people prepare to respond when circumstances change.
Recognition
Notice the contribution behind the result. The work that creates a hockey goal can matter as much as the final shot. Whose contribution makes your work possible but seldom receives the credit?
Trust
When people understand the culture, they can make good decisions independently. An unexpected encounter involving an M&S suit refund explores what happens when shared principles give someone the confidence to use their judgement.
From a keynote to a practical conversation
Think Differently can be delivered as a standalone keynote with questions, or combined with workshops and facilitated discussions.
The workshops give participants time to connect the stories to their own experiences, examine everyday behaviours and identify changes they can make together.
The programme can be adapted for:
Conferences and partner events
Staff and leadership days
Council and public-service teams
Sport, physical activity and leisure organisations
Health, education and community partnerships
Senior-team and board away-days
Corporate teams exploring culture, collaboration and change