What we do

For many years, I have worked with people in organisations to enhance their writing skills. When I started Communicating Simply, I created a process I called ‘Black Woman Writing’. As a Black woman (or woman of colour if you will) who grew up in apartheid South Africa, I have experienced the fear of putting myself out there with my writing, the fear of not measuring up to people’s expectations, and the difficulty of overcoming the hurdles of my perceived lesser-ness. In this work, I’ve also seen how writing in organisations can become disconnected from people’s realities.

Writing, I believe, can be a tremendous instrument for self-discovery, affirmation, soul growth and healing. As I envisioned it, Black Woman Writing incorporates soul contemplation, growth, and healing through writing; as well as writing from that soul reflection. It is about the process of soul growth as much as the end result.

Black woman writing has evolved into the processes below:

Writing ourselves/Righting ourselves

Many organisational stories go untold because people assume they lack the time and ability to write them. I assist organisations tell the stories they want to share about their work through workshops (yep, workshops are still a thing) and one-on-one coaching. There is a lot of soul growth and learning in the writing process, about ourselves, about others, and about writing. My processes include a mix of group learning and sharing sessions as well as one-on-one help for individuals.

Let me be your muse

Many of us have a story to tell, share, or simply write about. Others may require a safe space to unleash their creativity and chart their own course. Let me walk with you, helping you get your story out through listening, questioning and documenting or helping you document and reflect.

Journaling for Joy

Journaling is my go-to tool for soul growth and writing, and I’d like to help you discover the incredible value it could add to your life.

Allow me to create short (half-day to two-day) retreats to help you refresh and reflect using journaling as the main tool for your internal deliberations and external transformation, whether you’re a team in an organisation or a group of friends, a circle of like-minded souls, or a company looking for a creative outlet for your team (and yes, it is transformative).

Beautiful documents

Let me help you create beautiful documents that reflect your organisation and your stories and the voices of your people.

Process facilitation and organisational support

Sometimes organisations need an outsider to help them reflect, asking the right questions to move them to clarity and closer to their visions. Gladys is an experienced facilitator with grounding in adult education.

Research and evaluations

Evaluations and monitoring are important parts of an organisation’s process. They are opportunities to learn, shift, respond and grow. With that in mind, we support organisations by conducting evaluations that are about listening deeply to the organisation and its stakeholders and reflecting back to them what might be needed to respond in the best possible ways to their environment. We take a consultative approach to evaluations. I am part of a consultancy network with dala! Consulting Services.

Process documentation

I can help you document your processes, whether a few hours, a day or a week. I write simply, capturing the important lessons, insights and reflections that emerge.

Soul Guidance with the Tarot

I work with the tarot to help you unpack what’s going on for you; to help you navigate the journey you’re on in the moment. My “readings” are about exploration, with you co-creating and interpreting in order to come to solutions that work for you. 

The Tarot for Transformation

Explore the tarot for yourself or with your family, friends or colleagues.  I will create a process that will suit your needs and your pocket.