I'm a recovering academic who uses her insights from behavioural economics to develop methods that facilitate collaboration. In my weekly newsletter, I share the summary of my latest interview on the "workshops work" podcast along with an application of facilitation as a life and leadership skill.
The Ripple Effect | 🎙️ Episode 290 with Dave Gray
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Dear Reader, We often hear the phrase in self-help books: What gets our attention will grow. In fact, I have it stuck on a note right next to my screen. But what about the things we don’t focus on—the ones we brush aside, believing that sweeping them under the rug will somehow preserve our fragile sense of harmony? The truth is, these unnoticed moments can quietly swell until they become unreasonably large, disrupting our lives far more than we anticipate. Today, I want to write about the "Ripple Effect" and how voicing even the smallest disturbances can have a healing impact. Over the Summer vacation, my girlfriend and I observed how tiny frustrations could grow unreasonably large and lead to unnecessary fights. We tried a new approach: instead of letting these small ripples turn into waves, we would voice them the moment we felt them. She came up with the word Ripple — a soft, non-threatening way to express discomfort without the weight or blame that words like “trigger” often carry. A ripple feels innocent, just a small sensation asking to be noticed, not a demand for immediate action or confrontation. By naming these ripples as they arise, we’ve created a space where we can share our feelings, without asking for fixing. Last week, for example, she started sharing about her day just as I finished talking about mine. Usually, I would’ve stayed quiet, feeling slightly unseen but not wanting to make an issue of it. In the past, that feeling might have lingered, creating distance between us. But this time, I simply asked: “May I share a ripple? I wasn’t quite finished yet and would love a bit more attention.” Her response was immediate: “Oh, of course, I’m sorry. Please, go ahead.” And that was it. After I finished, we transitioned into her story, and we enjoyed the rest of our evening. If I hadn’t spoken up, that small feeling of frustration could’ve quietly festered, leading to a completely unrelated argument later. The beauty of this experiment is that by naming these seemingly insignificant moments, I’m now able to catch ripples not just with her, but in other relationships as well—whether with clients, colleagues, or friends. I’ve noticed that when I share my Ripples, it invites others to do the same, creating a more trusting and open environment. The important takeaway here is that Ripples are often so tiny that we feel ashamed to point them out. But in truth, these moments are worth addressing because they create a pathway for more honest and thoughtful interactions. By shifting our language, we create a ripple of change. And if we can stop those Ripples from becoming waves, we may just find ourselves in calmer, clearer waters. 🎙 Meanwhile, on the podcast… How can you create the life of your dreams, where your work not only pays the bills, but brings you daily joy, creative fulfilment and purpose? Possibilitarian, artist and author Dave Gray joins me in this episode to introduce us to the art of the possible. He generously shares his life’s lessons in business and creativity; from building his $10 million agency, to becoming an accidental author of 3 books, and his creative community brainchild, the School of the Possible. A rich, expansive conversation, filled with inspiration, with lots to savour and apply in your own business! Find out about:
🔖 Click here to download my 1-page summary of the show. 🎧 Click here to listen to the interview Or, watch the unedited interview on Youtube: 🎡 Join the NDB Festival A Global Online Event to Refuel Your Creativity Join us for the final edition of the NDB Festival! Over 48 hours, facilitators worldwide will come together to explore bold, new approaches. 22 workshops and 6 dedicated networking opportunities. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn, connect, and push the boundaries of facilitation—because after this, there won’t be another NDB Festival! Late Bird Tickets are available until October 30th - and if you join us from a country with a weak currency, you can request a purchasing-power-adjusted fee. That's all from my side. I wish you a wonderful week ahead; may it be filled with open and honest conversations and space for mutual growth. Myriam
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How can we facilitate collaboration?
I'm a recovering academic who uses her insights from behavioural economics to develop methods that facilitate collaboration. In my weekly newsletter, I share the summary of my latest interview on the "workshops work" podcast along with an application of facilitation as a life and leadership skill.
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