We research. design. develop. impact.

Research at the edge

Our research lives where leadership does. At the edges of what’s known and possible. Where policy, practice and lived experience collide. We work to explore not just what leadership makes a difference but how change actually happens in a moment shaped by polycrisis.

What questions are you asking?

We connect you to emerging signals – thinking, ideas and evidence – from trusted sources across disciplines. We do the sourcing, so you get the links that matter.

We explore the patterns, connections and emerging ideas shaping leadership for the moment we are in. We synthesise, you get the insights.

We design research with – not just for – the people most affected by the questions you’re asking. We design, you deliver.

We create spaces that bring people, research, policy, practice and lived experience together, helping you discover new ways through interconnected challenges. We hold the space, you make sense in it.

We build long-term thinking partnerships, bringing research, curiosity and learning together to generate insight as change unfolds. We partner, we learn together.

Design to dismantle

We dismantle outdated ways of developing leadership and reimagine approaches for long term futures – knowing it’s not just what we design, but how we design it that shapes what becomes possible.

What design makes change possible?

We help you identify opportunities and design leverage points for change. We explore opportunities. You act where it matters most.

We work with you to identify strategic opportunities for leadership and change in complex systems. We identify direction. You take the next step.

We design leadership journeys that reflect the realities of complexity, helping people develop the mindsets, relationships and practices needed for meaningful change. We design the journey. You bring it to life.

We design pathways that help new ideas, leadership approaches and innovations spread across teams, organisations, systems and places. We design for scale. You grow the impact.

We work alongside you as long-term thinking and design partners, adapting as conditions change and opportunities emerge.  We design with you, your design is in real time.

Development beyond decades

We develop leadership for a world shaped by polycrisis. Where pressures overlap and decisions carry consequence across places and generations. We prepare people for the reality of change they are trying to make.

What leadership will make your change possible?

For people who can see there is another way. We work with you, you lead differently.

Ways to begin

Possibility conversation (30 minutes)
Explore your next step.

Polyopportunity coaching.
Book a coaching conversation.

The series

A deeper developmental journey exploring leadership through the realities of polycrisis, complexity, power and long-term futures.

For organisations ready to do differently with each decision. We shift the conditions, you change what’s possible.

Ways to begin

Possibility Conversation (30 minutes)
Explore the moment you are in and what your next step could be.

We bring people together to work across boundaries and difference. We create the space, you move the system.

Digital development journeys for all leaders working across systems. We’ve designed development, you learn anytime, anywhere.

We work alongside you to shape leadership practice, adapt development journeys and respond to emerging challenges over time. We partner, your leadership develops over time.

Impact & the invisible

We seek to understand more of what truly makes a difference. We explore impact in the invisible, unpredictable and interconnected spaces, the shifts in thinking, connection and possibility that ripple out over time.

What difference are you making?

We design complexity sensitive evaluation that builds a fuller picture of impact. We design. You evaluate.

We develop people to design, deliver and embed complexity sensitive evaluation. We build capability. You build confidence.

We design and deliver complexity sensitive evaluation so you can learn and invest in what works now. We evaluate. You understand the difference.

We work with you to design, deliver and embed complexity sensitive evaluation so you can learn about and invest in what works over time. We partner. We learn together.

We are building a digital platform to help you embed complexity sensitive evaluation in practice. Contact us for more information. We build the platform. You build the evidence.

“

Amy is a passionate and experienced professional who skillfully assesses the context and facilitates collaboration. She is committed to social justice and supporting individuals and organisations in this quest. We have worked together on a few projects over a number of years and I wholeheartedly recommend her work. She is a pleasure to work with and her work ethic and results speak for themselves.

Dr Fiona ChattenDirector of Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health, University of Cumbria
“

NHS Greater Manchester worked with The Work in Progress and Collaborate Out Loud over a 3-year period to develop a set of open-source leadership tools. I really valued their approach to co-design - living out the ‘Fairer Health for All’ principles. Amy and Claire have great connections into VCSE and public sector networks and were able to bring a range of ideas, experience and concepts together into very practical tools. A key strength was being adaptive to change and allowing the tools to emerge.

Dr Deborah ThompsonPublic Health Consultant, NHS Greater Manchester
“

Engaging with The Work in Progress was transformative. Amy always created a safe, energising space that enabled the Good Enough Start team to think more boldly, challenge assumptions, and ultimately develop and lead a service with increased confidence and clarity. Her flexible, bespoke approach enabled us to move away from more traditional ways of thinking and doing, to turn ambitious ideas into real support for families.

Janice BrockbankStrategic lead, Good Enough Start
“

The Council recognises the significant contribution Millom Connect makes to the wellbeing, resilience, and future development of our community.

Millom Town Council