Before you meet, engage with each of the resources below. You do not have to engage with every resource but try to choose at least three that feel most relevant to you right now. For each resource, you are simply invited to notice what resonates using the prompts below.

Resource 1: Set triaging criteria (5–10 minutes)

As you watch the video, notice:

• The criteria you use, consciously or unconsciously, to evaluate requests 
• Situations where you respond quickly or emotionally rather than deliberately and logically 
• Language that would help you to pause, defer, or reshape a request 

Resource 2: Strategies for saying no effectively to allow for more deep work (20 minutes)

As you listen, notice:

• Where you have an emotional response to saying no 
• Where you equate saying no with being unhelpful or uncollegial 
• Ways of declining that preserve both clarity and relationship 

Resource 3: A reflection on nine months of saying no (10–15 minutes)

As you engage, notice:

• What requests would you find it easiest to say no to? 
• Assumptions or stories you carry about reputational risk or missed opportunity 
• What would a small, low-risk experiment in saying no look like for you

Resource 4: Reframing unhelpful beliefs about saying no (10–15 minutes)

As you reflect, notice:

• Internal narratives that make refusal feel risky or selfish 
• Where guilt influences your decisions more than capacity 
• Alternative interpretations of what saying no communicates to others 

Resource 5: New habits, structures, and scripts (10–15 minutes)

As you engage, notice:

• Habits you could implement that that could reduce decision fatigue 
• Language that feels authentic rather than performative 
• Small structures that would support more consistent boundaries 

The structure below is held collectively by the group. You may choose to rotate who keeps an eye on time or simply move together through the stages.

1. Arrival and framing (5–10 minutes)

• Brief reminder of purpose: learning from different perspectives
• No pressure to have implemented anything yet
• Agreement on confidentiality and respect
• An explicit intention that everyone will have space to speak

2. Resource reflections and shared learning (30–40 minutes)

A simple round:

• One insight that landed “What stayed with you most from the resources?”
• One insight that challenged or puzzled you

Pay attention to differences in how you engaged with the materials. The aim is collective sense-making, not consensus. Encourage one another to ask: “What did you take from this that I didn’t?”

3. Coaching-style reflection: so what? (20–30 minutes)

Each participant shares:

• One thing I will do differently (a behaviour, decision, or boundary)
• One thing I am still unsure about
• One thing I might explore next (information, support, or perspective)

Peers respond with curiosity rather than solutions:

• “What is important about that?”
• “What would help you to get more clarity?”
• “What would it be/feel like in a year’s time if you implement a change?”

4. Closing and commitments (5–10 minutes)

Each person is invited to name:

• One small action they are choosing to take (or consciously not take yet)

Optional:

• Who else they might speak to or share their commitment with
• What would help to stay motivated
• What might get in the way, and how can they overcome that?

This can be very light-touch and self-directed. Possible options include:

• A personal note to self
• A follow-up peer conversation
• Exploring another relevant resource
• Bringing a question to a mentor or senior colleague
• No reporting back is required, however peer group members may request this to create accountability for their intended actions.