The Feedback Tree: What the collective taught us
Cath McNally
Every session, we used the same flipchart tree – roots for grounding, trunk for strength, branches for growth and leaves, fruits and flowers for inspiration. Same drawing, same four questions, fresh post-its each time. Across 10 sessions, those notes from participants built a picture of what was really happening. In the first session, participants also shaped their mission: ‘To cultivate and empower community leaders by creating space for growth, a network to encourage and motivate, and opportunities for everyone to feel included, respected, and valued.’ Those post-its showed it taking shape.
Roots ran deep from day one. “No judgement”, “trust”, “welcoming energy” – participants felt safe to show up as they are. Facilitators created belonging that ran consistent, the foundation of ‘opportunities to feel included, respected, and valued’.
Trunks held steady through relaxed structure and peer connection. Sessions “flowed well” with “clear instructions”, but what held strongest was “everyone gelling together” – the teamwork and shared experience that strengthened capacity session by session ‘cultivating and empowering community leaders’
Branches reached wide as stories sparked new possibilities. “Making connections outside my community,” “relationships growing” became a real network – ‘a network to encourage and motivate’. Practical ideas took flight: succession plans, outside-the-box partnership ideas and strategies borrowed from other communities.
Flowers blossomed and fruits ripened through personal clarity. From early “not alone” came confident ownerships: “I am a leader,” “I have value,” and “change is possible.” Group energy fuelled it – ‘creating space for growth’ made real collectively.
The one flipchart tree, carrying all those post-its over time, captured something real. It reflects what happens when community leaders learn openly together – confidence through connection, resilience through shared reality, mission alive in honest voices. What began with questions and post-its became something lasting: a collective shaped by those that took part.
Year 2 begins soon with a fresh cohort. Same tree, new post-its, more connections growing across Scotland’s communities.
