Getting a great reception at O2

Last month we were asked to host an interactive session at O2’s People Leaders conference which was held in the plush surroundings of London’s Park Lane Hilton. The spectacular setting certainly lived up to expectations and the event was attended by over 400 leaders from the digital telecommunications company.

We were asked to design a session addressing the challenges that uncertainty brings within organisations and Laughology CEO Stephanie Davies delivered in trademark Laughology dynamic style. During the two-hour session we hosted a live Q&A section in which delegates could workshop with iPads linked together. The use of technology allowed for collaboration within the conference and teams were set inquiry questions to explre in their teams. One of the exercises set was designed to get leaders thinking about how they use language to frame challenges and to deliver clear messages to their teams.

Inspirational speaker Martine Wright also delivered a keynote speech at the conference. Martine survived the London Underground terrorist bombings in July 2005. She was sitting next to one of the terrorists when he detonated his bomb. She lost both her legs in the explosion and was in a coma for ten days afterwards.

As part of her rehabilitation she took up sport and became involved in seated volleyball. In July 2012 she was picked to represent Great Britain's women's sitting volleyball team in the London Paralympics. A hugely inspirational woman, she spoke about her experiences and how she now feels lucky for the opportunities the events of that terrible day have given her.

Her speech epitomised how challenge and change can be positive experiences and we were honoured to be at the same event.