Hey Subscriber First Name

We’ve been on quite a journey these past two weeks.

First, we looked backwards to connect the dots, drawing on Steve Jobs’ reminder that our past experiences make sense only in hindsight.

Then, we looked sideways, exploring precession and the unseen ripples our actions create, inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s bumblebee.

So where are we going today?

It feels right to look all around us, to the people and communities who move alongside us and explore what happens within our circles of connection.

In the first chapter of my career, I was often surrounded by people, yet sometimes I didn’t feel truly connected. I had colleagues, bosses and teams and while some relationships were real and meaningful, others left me feeling lonely.

Looking back, it’s no surprise. I didn’t really know who I was. I wore so many masks to fit in that I’d become a kind of chameleon. I was still “me”, but parts of myself were hidden away.

Not anymore. These days, I understand myself better than ever. I try to meet myself with compassion and I’ve re-parented the parts of me that once felt exiled. I’ve learned that it’s hard to connect deeply with others when you’ve forgotten how to connect with yourself.

That healing journey has helped me find my people. People I trust and who, I hope, trust me too. It’s at the core of my work, seeing how connection helps regulate our nervous systems and opens the space for something new to emerge.

So this week’s newsletter is a love letter to community, partnership and friendship and how that can lead to truly magical experiences.

On Saturday night, I was invited to an event in the Purbecks by my friends Rob and Luke, the powerhouse duo behind Planet Purbeck. Their new Patron, the incredible Sir Mark Rylance, brought along sustainability legend George Monbiot for an evening that was utterly awe-inspiring.

What struck me most was not just the calibre of people in the room but the relationships behind it all, the way Rob and Luke worked together to make something extraordinary happen.

And George and Mark showed how much they respected and appreciated each other. It’s why George came to a grassroots evening in Dorset for free. They care about each other’s work and they know that the cause is bigger than themselves.

So here’s a photo of me with George and my friend Dan Pringle…

Dan is an amazing film director who I first met years ago when he made TV adverts for us. We loved working together, he’s incredibly talented and his creative eye shines through in the beautiful feature films he makes.

Another part of my story that I haven’t shared with you before is the tragic loss of my boss, mentor and close friend, Guy. Dan and I worked alongside him and when Guy died, I knew the loss touched us both deeply.

When Dan and I reconnected, we found ourselves talking about Guy - remembering, laughing, grieving. And through that, I realised again that when we share our pain, we also invite healing.

I’m grateful for our friendship because it reminds me that the most meaningful relationships outlast roles, projects or circumstances. They’re built on consistency - showing up with integrity, compassion and trust, no matter how or why we first meet.

Working for myself gives me freedom, I get to choose who I work with and how I work. But that freedom can also be lonely. It limits some of the routes I can go alone. Which is why I’m especially grateful for the collaborations that have recently taken shape. They bring together different energies, skills and experiences and they remind me how good it feels to create with others.

So first up in my sharing of powerful collaborations, is this new event with my friend Mark Masters. We’ve known each other for many years and for the first time ever, we’ll be working together.

Mark has been a consistent presence in my world, not just when there was a big budget on the table, but as a friend who’s stayed in touch through every season.

Together we’re hosting The Power of You, a funded event for businesses in BCP on 19 November. I’ll explore the wisdom we hold beneath the surface (our values, beliefs and inner roots), while Mark will share how to amplify that through our outward voice and work.

If you’d like to join us, find out more here.

🌳 The Natural Network with Kate at Four Acre Farm

My ongoing collaboration with Kate continues to grow from strength to strength. Working with her has shown me how powerful it is when different experiences intersect - when one person’s grounding meets another’s vision, and something larger than either of us emerges.

Our next two gatherings are open now, and we’d love you to join us. Use your exclusive £20 discount code: Naturalnetwork20

• 31 October – Crossing the Threshold. Book here. We’d love you to join us. A seasonal reflection on change, letting go and moving into winter.

• 18 December – The Wintering. Book here. We’d love you to join us. A slower, more contemplative session as we draw the year to a close.

☕ People, Planet, Pastry with Karley at Patch

To round off my appreciation for collaboration, we have the final People, Planet, Pastry of the year on 30 October. I co-host these with the wonderful Karley at Patch, and we’d love this one to be a real humdinger - a chance to connect, reflect and share pastries with purpose. Tickets here.

Well that’s my round-up for the week.

As I sit with all these reflections, I’m reminded of one core thought - we can still feel lonely even when surrounded by people. It’s not company we crave, it’s meaningful connection.

And to create that, we have to start by knowing ourselves. Because when we meet ourselves deeply, we open the door to meet others with the same vulnerability, wisdom and compassion.

See you next week.

With gratitude and curiosity,

Nick

Well that’s it for another week. Boo!

But we don’t have to stop there. Hurrah!

Here’s how we can continue the conversation:

• If you like this newsletter, please share it with someone who might like it too.

• If someone forwarded this to you, please Click here to subscribe.

• If we’re not already connected on LinkedIn then come and find me here.

• Instagram more your thing? Please come and follow me at Daring Works.

• Looking for a deeper connection and would like to work with me? Just reply to this email or click here to start a conversation.