Agility, innovation, and productivity thrive when your teams move in perfect sync. From aligning ideas, beliefs and values to building trusted, collaborative relationships, we connect people to purpose, to each other – and to themselves.
We’ve worked closely with business leaders driving critical change and performance to find what works. The result is our Portfolio of Connected Programs we then tailor to your context, priorities, and people.
We deliver Connected Programs in person, virtually via our state-of-the-art Cyclorama Broadcasting Studios, or both.
"Organisations that invest in developing leaders during significant transformations are 2.4x more likely to hit their performance targets."
Accenture
Where collective vision, passion, and purpose intersect
Connected Leaders communicate with passion and purpose. They move hearts and minds, bringing an organisation’s vision to life with clarity and conviction. Equipped with the mindset and empathy to lead through change and complexity, Connected Leaders align and focus on a collective outcome, building trust, accountability and cohesion across the organisation.
The Connected Leader is a development journey that leadership teams embark on together, building on existing individual strengths so that they can collectively achieve strategic goals, navigate change and manage risk more effectively.
You helped us create trust, cohesion, clarity, and energy in a few short sessions. The impact of 50 leaders with that shared experience, and who will now transfer that experience to their own teams – another 200+ people – is truly profound.
VP BU, US Division, Global Pharmaceutical
Designed for leadership teams committed to change and to becoming more effective as a unified force. Using world-class validated leadership insights and strategies, The Connected Leader Program strengthens leadership capability and builds resilience. It builds on existing skills across three core pillars:
"By empowering employees, leaders are more likely to be trusted by the people they lead."
Harvard Business Review
Where change champions are empowered
Connected Managers approach situations with fresh perspectives. They excel in self-leadership, and in managing, coaching, and building trust. Managers are the backbone to your change story. They connect the vision from the top and the reality on the front line. That carries an enormous burden of responsibility – and it requires a different mindset.
Founded on the principles of emotional intelligence, behavioural science, and best-management practice this program provides the tools and resources so managers can grow in their roles and champion change.
Not only have I expanded my stakeholder network, but I have a broader understanding of the business and what leaders across the company are facing so that we can collectively come together as a harmonised leadership group across the organisation.
Connected Manager Participant
The Connected Manager Program is suitable for new and experienced individuals who have line management responsibility or need to work collaboratively to reach a common goal.
“The Connected Manger has profoundly changed the way that I manage my team.”
"Trusted advisors drive a 50% increase in client loyalty and a 50% higher likelihood of recommendations."
Harvard Business School
Where deep, trust-based relationships make an impact
A Connected Partner is self-aware and takes ownership of their growth and impact. They build trust-based relationships, because they know how to truly understand the needs and goals of others.
They communicate with empathy and confidence, making meaningful connections that deliver outcome-focused value. A Connected Partner is self-driven, adaptable, and collaborative. Above all, they are committed to making a positive difference with every interaction.
Those who’ve been implementing Open Water techniques are finding they are increasing their time with the customers, getting more information and building greater relationships. Also, the same sales force has achieved a huge uplift in sales of another product, proving the efficacy of the program.
Brand Director, EMEA, Global Pharmaceutical
Designed for individuals at all levels of the organisation who manage stakeholder relationship, The Connected Partner Program takes participants on a journey to understand themselves and others and their real needs, fostering deeper trust-based relationships and high-performing ‘Trusted Advisor’ teams.
“The whole organisation needs to do this program – not just the customer-facing roles”
"A survey found that 94% of respondents agree they’re more productive when they feel connected to colleagues."
Enboarder.com
Where organisations thrive
Connected People are the foundation of collaboration and innovation. They break down silos, fostering teamwork and the sharing of ideas that lead to co-created solutions. By aligning their contributions and purpose to organisational goals, creating trust and engagement that drives morale, job satisfaction, and retention.
Connected People work more efficiently, reducing duplication of effort and ensuring everyone is focused on shared outcomes.
We know that when people feel connected they work more efficiently and report on higher levels of wellbeing.
Ben Shoshan, Co-founder, Open Water
Above all, Connected People create lasting impact. They deliver value that strengthens loyalty. Adaptable and resilient, they navigate complexity with confidence. Their collective behaviours create a strong culture of trust, respect, and shared accountability. Through their actions, they drive long-term business growth, making the workplace a space where people thrive.
"Organisations with high-trust workplace cultures are more profitable and have higher stock-market returns."
Great Place to Work
Where people feel safe, motivated and inspired
Imagine a workplace environment where every team member has clarity, accountability and starts each day energised. Where people communicate with openness and feel empowered to do their best work. That’s a Connected Culture.
We go deep and wide into your organisation. Our Culture Transformation process is founded on principles of neuroscience and behavioural change theory.
When people feel connected to their organisation’s culture, they are 68% less likely to always feeling burned out.
Cerba research were embarking on a transformational journey, merging many companies into one cohesive entity, and a single culture.
With an overload of new strategic initiatives, employee Pulse survey results showed the global team were change-weary. Burn out and loss of talented scientists was a real risk.
"Storytelling can educate, can entertain, but, in the end, the most important thing storytelling can do is to inspire us, to move us, to change us, to have us think differently."
Matthew Luhn, Former Pixar Storyteller
The power of story to activate change
The Connected Narrative is more than just storytelling. It is a strategic approach to shaping a culture where people think, feel and act with clarity and purpose. Using a proven narrative framework, expert storywriters and consultants work with leaders to craft a compelling and authentic story that connects on both a rational and emotional level.
This shared narrative becomes the unifying thread that ties together all initiatives, providing meaning, context and a clear direction for change. When people see themselves in the story, they do not just understand the journey, they feel motivated to drive it forward.
The Connected Narrative gave us a unifying story that not only made sense of our strategy but also made it resonate. It has transformed how we communicate, helping us align our teams, build trust and drive real momentum. Now we're inspiring people to be part of the journey!
"No matter how great a story's plot is, an audience needs an emotional bond with a character or the story will be empty."
Matthew Luhn, Former Pixar Storyteller
Unleash your personal Narrative, connect to your purpose
The Connect to Your Story program empowers team members to confidently articulate their value by reconnecting with their "why" and clarifying the impact they bring to stakeholders and the organisation. It builds confidence, connects more meaningfully with different groups of people, and promotes message consistency across teams, enabling participants to craft compelling, resonant stories.
Connect to Your Story helped me communicate more confidently with the HCPs I engage with. It also helped me feel proud of what I do and the difference I can make every day.
Whether working with internal or external stakeholders, knowing how to tailor messages effectively and having a strong believable story to tell is fundamental to building trust.
"Live events are pivotal in driving change, fostering engagement, and aligning teams toward a shared vision. They create moments of connection that fuel transformation and action."
Where leaders inspire and teams get behind them
Open Water doesn't 'do events'. Our expertise lies in building trust, shifting mindsets, and challenging the limiting beliefs that stymie performance so biopharma organisations like yours can thrive.
Connection Events are different. They're a critical part of our culture change methodology. They also work brilliantly at galvanising teams into action in a meaningful way. That makes them ideal for annual kick-offs, all-team conferences or business cycle meetings:
Re-energised and Engaged Workforce: Teams feel inspired and committed to shared goals.
Stronger Team Cohesion: Clearer strategic direction and commitment to forward action
Embedded Mindsets & Cultural Shifts: Growth mindset, coaching culture, and strategic narratives integrated into daily work
Everything went so smoothly - and was so professionally done. The stories, exercises, examples, and deep knowledge of our organisation made it a memorable experience. We’re now not only going to be the most effective business at our company-we’re going to be the most effective and impactful immuno-inflammatory business in the entire world. That's momentum!
Why partner with Open Water?
From designing tailored experiences as part of change initiatives or culture transformation programs to flawless execution, our experienced coaches and facilitators ensure your message lands powerfully every time.
A global CRO equips its leaders and managers to navigate change with empathy, passion and purpose
Post multiple mergers: building trust and cohesion in a global CRO
of managers now equipped to lead with empathy and purpose
Empowering leaders to inspire change and drive transformation
How a trusted advisor approach revolutionised compliance behaviour
increase in accountability
increase in self-management skills and growth mindset behaviour
Improved trust and rapport with healthcare professionals (HCPs)
Open Water’s Connected Partner Program transformed a sales force into trusted advisors, driving a 20% sales uplift for a new psychiatric drug and revitalising stagnant product sales through customer-centric engagement.
sales uplift for the newly launched drug across EMEA
increase in sales of other products sold by the same sales force
increase in time spent with healthcare professionals (HCPs)
A new narrative focused on connection to purpose, energises, empowers and refocuses the senior team of a lacklustre immuno-inflammatory business
add to the pharmaceutical’s most undervalued asset
global team members united with a bold new narrative
boost in positive behaviours through connection to purpose
A new narrative focused on connection to purpose, energises, empowers and refocuses the senior team at Pfizer’s lacklustre immuno-inflammatory business, taking every team member on an exciting, high-potential journey
in positive leadership behaviours
value added through purpose-driven transformation
colleagues united in a global interactive event
A health franchise within a leading BPO partnered with Open Water to align its identity and deliver exceptional results, positioning it as preferred UK healthcare provider
From consultants to trusted advisors
Confidence, collaboration, and clarity unlocked
EQ-driven change powers growth
A complete cultural shift creates optimism and a new sense of identity, belonging and purpose post-merger for a specialist biopharma
leaders aligned
From 'lone wolves' to a collaborative ethos.
Cultural Transformation delivered results within weeks
Driving transformation with EQ: Empowering consultants to align values, build trust, and deliver an ambitious vision.
Connected Leaders Drive Market Success
From Alignment to Action: Building Trust and Culture
in the Market: Post-Merger Growth
Specialists in the human side of change, we partner with leading life science organisations to deliver deep change and cultural transformation.
