I met some wonderful people this week. On weeks like this my job rocks; the chance to meet some really fantastic people who enrich my thinking and make life fun.

 

On the long journey home I was thinking about what it would be like if I could just put some of them in a room together what magic might happen! It was like one of those personal ‘dead or alive’ dinner party discussions – who would you select? But more importantly what could we achieve?

So, this blog is going to list some people who I would love to put in a room together to party! So how did I select my list? Each person has a set of unique super powers. Every single one of them I would think having coffee with them was a highlight of a day and finally I would just love to see what they would do if they were given a collective challenge.

The list order is alphabetically deliberately; there is no priority order and I know I will have missed some people, forgive me. Lists are written at a moment in time.

Here are where my party initiations are headed:

Deborah El-Sayed @Debselsayedd – Debs is someone to dream with. When we discuss ideas and make plans our conversations go to the most unexpected places. She’s is fun too and her parties are always the best ones, creative and expansive, in exactly the same way she thinks. She also makes things happen.

Emma Bearman @emmambearman – Emma is wonderful. I have never met anyone like her before. She is like a warrior, someone who gives part of her soul for her work on play in Leeds. Her passion is practically palpable and she would keep the party going with her energy (and play).

Hany Rizk @RizkHany – I went to a UX conference this week and his presentation blew me away. Hany is selected for his ability to make me think differently. I suspect he is also an ace UX designer. By the way he is also a super cool and from the Lebanon*. I think he brings values too.

Heather Henry @heatherhenry4 – this nurse is a super hero, who has taught me so much about asset based community development but she is also so determined and focussed. I use the story of Salford Dads and pub nursing as ways to describe an alternative way. Heather rocks.

Jenni Middleton @nursingtimesed – all parties need someone who can communicate with insight, wisdom, style and flair and that is what Jenni can do. Unusual for me to chose a journalist but Jenni is a real pro and she also has great style. All parties need someone with style!

Lance Gardner @LanceAACltd – selected for his creativity and his clear focus and insights into doing the right thing, the right way. No half-way measures for Lance, if it’s not done right he doesn’t do it. He’s also a trail blazer. Lance has a non-flashy way of working that I really admire.

Linda Whalley – Linda is a colleague. She is a great thinker and worth having alongside you but she is also one of the wittiest people ever. She has a way of seeing situations and people that is unique, wise and funny.

Lindsey Fallow @betabetic – what a treat Lindsey is to know. I don’t know anyone else quite like her. She is clever, wise, unafraid and has a groundedness about her that makes me feel safe. I don’t know anyone who has so many life challenges who remains so positive and un-beaten. She is just incredible.

Mark Davies @markpricedavies – ah Dr Mark. One of my favorite doctors. Mark is fun to be with but he is also a good person to think with, he will bring new ideas that others haven’t thought of. He also has a fearlessness about his persona, a non-traditionalist.

Mary Dixon-Woods @marydixonwoods – I’ve never met Mary (I would love too) but every party needs a professor and researcher and Mary is the one I admire most. She, too, is someone who is pushing boundaries and looking at things in new ways. I used one of her emergent research approaches in my MSc and my tutor thought I was being a bit alternative – which I consider to be an admirable thing! I will maybe meet her in real life one day.

Maxine Craig @maxine_craig – Maxine understands people like no one else I know. A deep meaningful insight into people and organisations wrapped in a beautiful soul. She is also so restful to spend time with! She will keep the party grounded and well.

Pete Thomond @petethomond – Pete is very special. I love the way he thinks – there are no blocks and barriers in Pete’s mind and his conversations reflect that. I guarantee at the party he would be an ideas generator, someone who asked interesting questions and could see the connections between ideas and concepts.

Rachael Dunscombe @UKpenguin – Rachael is in theory an IT person but when I look and see her that’s not what I see! I see someone who has so much insight into a wide range of things, not for her just pure IT but real breadth and depth! A linker of things…. Someone who I want to meet more in future.

Rob Webster @NHS_robW – Rob for me represents values. He is clear about his and would make certain we were clear about ours. He is also wise; his life and work have made him so.

Roz Davies @roz_davies – Roz is a very beautiful person. I don’t know anyone else who so consistently lives the values they express. She is someone who it’s cool to hang out with to explore values and find deeper meaning. Never under estimate her!

Simon Norris @simon_Norris – Simon is a creative if ever I knew one. His optimism is what strikes me though and his values. You would be surprised about where conversations with Simon go. Another value driven person. I love great UX designers too, they are the ones that bring IT alive for people.

Steve Wheeler @timbuckteeth – I don’t know anyone else like Steve. An academic but he is uber cool and another thinker. He is also a rebel I think. I admire rebels with values. They make me feel braver.

Susan Hamer @dollyblue3 – selected for her determination but also her incisive brain. She knows the right thing to do and does it regardless of what people think. She can be out-spoken but you will need to be at this particular party! She will help you to take an idea apart and work out what to do and bring evidence into play.

Teri Porritt @gbtpo – Teri is unstoppable. She is values driven and has so many facets to her professional persona. Peel away the layers and you will find many beautiful things that she brings to the party. Energy is the most obvious one, but you will also find a photographer inside!

Victoria Betton @victoriabetton – Victoria is another creative soul but one who can do serious business. She takes ideas and just makes them happen, like magic. Another values driven person who takes risks and walks the walk.

So how will this party go? I have no idea! But it won’t be boring that’s for sure! What ideas would we create and solutions could we find? What would we make happen?

I’ve no idea but I know that each one of these people brings gifts to my fantasy party. In writing my list I realised that there are some common themes: values, passion and the ability to think with me, play out through thinking – thought expanders.

I am grateful that all of these people have played some sort of role in my life from making me think differently to making me laugh out loud! Now let’s get on with this party!

Anne

Post Script: Writing this I kept on thinking of other people I couldn’t miss off (I am sorry if you are one! You will all know who you are I hope) and it was a great exercise in making me feel incredibly lucky.

*Correction:  I had originally thought Hany was from Germany but he is actually from the Lebanon – sorry Hany!