What does it take to truly collaborate? A conversation with Emma Edwards Deputy CEO of Spotlight Young Onset Parkinson’s and Dawn Harding Trustee of Spotlight YOPD
How can leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued, trust is nurtured, and meaningful conversations drive innovation?
Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is a podcast for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of collaboration in their organisations and lives.
Hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd, co-founders of Collaboration Equation™, this show explores the essential elements of psychological safety, inclusive dialogue, and diversity of thought and feeling—helping you cultivate a mindset of curiosity, care, and courage.
Each episode delves into real-world leadership challenges, expert insights, and powerful stories from those who are finding their Collaborative Edge™. Whether you’re a senior leader, team manager, or someone passionate about creating human-centred workplaces, this podcast will inspire you to build connections, embrace difference, and lead with authenticity.
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In our conversation with Emma Edwards, CEO of Spotlight Young Onset Parkinson’s and Dawn Harding Trustee of Spotlight YOPD we explore:
What it means to truly collaborate.
What Emma and Dawn have learnt through their leadership and life experiences about the value of collaboration
Why collaboration and partnership are so important to the charity. And the impact of these collaborations on raising awareness of Young Onset of Parkinson’s
What they have noticed in their collaborations, and partnerships, in particular with the NHS, Parkinson’s UK and other communities, and organisations that facilitate successful collaboration
What can sometimes hinder, and get in the way of collaboration
How bringing the mindset and behaviours of Curiosity, Care and Courage helps people find their Collaborative Edge™
And finally what has helped them to find their Collaborative Edge™
Emma and Dawn’s key encouragements to finding your Collaborative Edge:
Build a community through conversations that raise awareness for people, clinicians, family members, and the wider community.
Stretch yourself! You may be a professional in a field, however you can add a huge amount to a lot of small charities who need your skills especially in IT ,Digital and Communication.
Embrace technology, it can help you collaborate and connect with people.
Connect with people who have lived experience, and that's true of all sorts of collaborations.
Enjoy and have fun in your collaborations no matter how difficult and challenging the issues.
Find out more about Spotlight YOPD:
Go to their website, Spotlight YOPD; follow them on LinkedIn, and follow both Emma Edwards and Dawn Harding on LinkedIn. They would love to connect with and to collaborate with you. Dawn especially is on the hunt for people to share their skills with the charity. Also do follow Gaynor Edwards founder and former CEO of Spotlight who shares her experience of YOPD and regularly posts on LinkedIn.
They also have a fantastic Spotlight YOPD Facebook page, and a closed group. In addition Carl Beech the CEO of Spotlight YOPD is very active on TikTok.
Please do share and subscribe to our podcast Finding Your Collaborative Edge™.
Huge thank you to Brown Bear Studios for the production of our show, SHMOGUS MEDIA for the marketing of it, and to you for listening.
