💛 End of year musings: this is why I love my job!

Looking back on a year that brought its challenges as well as moments of real reward, I've been reflecting on my work and why I still enjoy it so much.

My whole career has been anchored in relationship development — be that between me and clients, between me and journalists, between me and collaborators, building links between clients and audiences or communities, and so on. It's something I've always been able to do quite naturally.

I also love being involved in projects that break new ground. From early in my working life (during the dotcom boom!) I learned that innovation is not only rewarding, but the buzz of creating new practices that reap great outcomes is unmatched. But, of course, work that focuses on the foundations on which innovation is built is just as valuable.

I'm grateful for my work that involves supporting clients to tackle inequities through building community relationships. Even when there are learnings — in fact, learning just might be the best part.

This work will never end — and I keep learning to stay on top of progress and in response to social and environmental change.

Seeing the difference that new engagement practices makes is brilliant — the empowerment, the ideas, the knowledge sharing, the new friendships!

But I never take any of this for granted. I know it's needed now more than ever. Part of innovation these days is involving communities who have always held the solutions to complex challenges.

I have insight into what's coming next in community and public engagement practices — stay tuned for more updates in 2026!

Don't forget to download my free practical guide aimed at engagement teams, researchers, cultural institutions and leaders connect more meaningfully with underrepresented communities.

It offers tools and insights from my award-winning work in community engagement — including ways to:

✨ co-create with respect and reciprocity

✨ avoid tokenism

✨ design projects that genuinely empower communities

If your organisation is ready to deepen its inclusion journey, start here 👇

👉 Download your free guide: www.elmaglasgowconsulting.com/services/free-inclusive-engagement-guide