Our executive committee and leadership team recently spent a day with Tom Barry from “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?” focusing on strategic development and team building. The session was designed around the central question. How do we take GRAF UK from good to great?
Tom’s company specialises in helping businesses shape their strategy and culture, and the day was structured to give our leadership team the tools and frameworks to drive the business forward effectively.
The session was organised around three core themes that are essential for any growing business: ownership and responsibility, communication and collaboration, and developing our people. Each area was explored through group discussions and collaborative exercises, allowing the leadership team to share perspectives and develop strategies together.
One of the most memorable parts of the day came right at the end. Tom picked on David Stagg for a communication exercise. He asked everyone to imagine bumping into David in the kitchen and having to explain what the day was all about. The twist was that after one person explained it to their partner, the listener had to repeat it back.
The exercise was brilliant at highlighting a fundamental truth about communication, it’s not about what you say, it’s about what the other person actually hears and understands. Tom made everyone repeat this exercise several times, and each time different details were emphasised or lost in translation.
The day also focused heavily on developing future leaders within the business. Thinking about how new leadership positions might emerge as the business grows and evolves. The discussions covered both personal development opportunities and the training needed to prepare people for increased responsibilities.
Another significant theme was improving communication between different departments. Each team has its own focus and priorities, but the day emphasised thinking beyond individual departmental goals to consider how decisions and approaches affect other parts of the business.
Tom’s facilitation style encouraged honest, open discussion among the leadership team. The format allowed everyone to contribute ideas and perspectives while working collaboratively on solutions to common challenges.
The whole experience reinforced the importance of investing time in strategic thinking and team development. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations, but sessions like this provide the space to step back and think about longer-term direction and culture.
Tom Barry’s approach with “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?” gave our leadership team practical tools and frameworks for continuing this development work beyond the single day session. It’s exactly the kind of strategic investment in people and culture that helps build stronger, more effective organisations.
Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on September 1, 2025.
