Second Nature

Welcome to the Second Nature blog.

I'm Sarah. I set up Second Nature Consulting - a Swiss company, based out of my home, in 2020 during lockdown.

The idea was to create a lightly formalised business structure around the multiple strands of work that I was already doing, as a change-maker, coach, comms consultant, facilitator of safe spaces for complex conversations, and my latest challenge on multiple fronts (I love this one) movement maker!

Second Nature exists to create and support positive change in the face of the multiple crises affecting our planet and our societies.

At Second Nature we work with a narrative storytelling approach to creating change, or as the 'theory of change'. In my past life working in marketing for large corporates, I saw the power of brand communications to sell products and aspirational ideas. Language, framing and the ability of words to grab our attention are powerful tools that have been harnessed by global marketing companies in the business of growing consumer markets.

These days, honestly, I wish traditional marketing was dead. Looking at the world around me, I'm not interested in using my love of language to sell anyone any more stuff. Nor do I have an interest in the constantly competitive career driven corporate world where they're busy churning out words without any thought for the overall impact on the narrative - creating more consumers.

I really believe we need a new focus - we need citizens actively participating in creating a better society, rather than consumers passively purchasing to fuel growth. Second Nature is my venture designed to focus my work around facilitating that shift.

The story behind the name 'Second Nature' is that underpinning many of the crises currently facing humanity, is human's separation from nature and each other. In confronting these circumstances, we must begin by re-connecting with ourselves, with nature and with each other. In this way, language, listening and safe 'non-judgemental' spaces where open discussion can take place are vehicles for change. The solutions we reach in open discussion, where we are able to show up fully embracing our own stories and our inherent interconnectedness to nature, often feel like a natural fit. Like second nature..

As a coach, I work with individuals and teams to open up the space for new ideas, new ways of working that support positive change, reconnection with nature and each other.

As individuals, our own stories inform our agency. My coaching approach is based on listening deeply to my client's stories and examining those stories in depth, in order to re-frame how those stories are impacting on their objectives in work and life. We work together to create new stories, ways of living and working that support their objectives.

With teams, the work is to create a space where everyone feels safe to show up fully, owning their own stories and world view and participating in the work.

As a communications consultant, I work with words, narrative storytelling and framing - mainly writing communications for companies, brands or campaigns focussed on creating change. I've been behind the scenes for such a long time that the learning for me now is to try to raise my own profile and write about what I do, why I do it, and the journey.

The truth is, I genuinely love stories. I want to live according to a better story. One where the planet doesn't overheat and human species doesn't die out at the end.. Anyone interested in helping write that story - you're on my page! Get in touch - I'd love to hear from you.