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Speaking

Discover the missing piece that turns hard conversations into trust and collaboration

When you understand all behaviour as an attempt to meet needs - like belonging, creativity or being seen - everything changes.

Be inspired, and get tools that you can put into immediate effect at work, and at home.

A former barrister and charity CEO, Alice speaks with warmth, humour and depth, and her keynotes are fresh, inspiring and practical.

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Workshops

Put the missing piece into practice - tools for hard conversations

When you start seeing behaviour through the lens of shared human needs - like purpose, knowing we matter, or understanding ​- you can access tools to:

  • ​​​​​listen and speak in ways that build trust

  • deal with tensions to create better collaboration

  • say difficult things in ways that can be heard

  • receive feedback without taking it personally

  • communicate effectively across divided opinion without giving up on what's important to you

  • disagree well so that you reach stronger, shared solutions

  • foster a culture where people thrive - and do their best work​​

What people say

Amy Clarke, Chief Impact Officer, Tribe Impact Capital

Alice made the session so enjoyable and interactive, and we all learned so much.

She has a wonderfully infectious energy that makes working with her a complete joy, and we couldn't recommend her more highly.

Amy Clarke, Chief Impact Officer, Tribe Impact Capital

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Jonathan Parr, Headteacher

Needs Understanding is such a powerful and flexible tool.

It's helped me to find new ways forward in challenging situations, and to build even stronger relationships.

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Tom Kingsley, Cancer Practice Nurse Educator

Alice ran a fantastic workshop for our Oncology Nursing Team, which was both a very enjoyable and useful session.

The feedback from the attendees was very positive, and I recommend Alice for her valuable work.

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Christine Osae, Vice Chancellor, Davis College

Alice is a phenomenal coach and a wonderful trainer.​

I feel more in touch with my humanity and purpose in life, and I'm more aware of the need for kindness and empathy when interacting with others.

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Harriet Beveridge, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach

That was utterly brilliant. 

​A gloriously honest and open session about 'real stuff', with lots of practical suggestions as well as profound advice.

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Laonikos Psimikakis-Chalkokondylis, The Eden Project

One thing which stood out was the focus on practical application.

It was very different from other trainings that are more abstract, and I could immediately see how to use the material to bring real benefit our team.

©2025 by Needs Understanding

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