LEXi Learn was invited by Adele Martin, Senior Learning partner at Solvd Together, to co-create a bespoke experiential programme for their client, a well-known global ship classification organisation.
The brief was to develop behaviours and communication approaches needed to build trust with both clients and colleagues.
Solvd Together chose to partner with LEXi Learn for our expertise in drama-based learning and following our recent successful collaboration on an experiential learning programme at the UK’s busiest airport. This dynamic approach combines collaborative group work with individual skills practice and encourages participants to explore new behaviours in an engaging and inclusive setting. Using these tools, together with Solvd Together’s design expertise, The Propel Experience was created.
The objective of The Propel Experience was to support colleagues across this household name to grow their capacity to act as Trusted Advisors and support their work and relationships with clients. This was achieved through participation in a memorable, interactive story, created by LEXi Learn and set within the world of shipping.
The bespoke programme was shaped by an extensive discovery report carried out by Solvd Together to identify what development areas and skills would have the most impact on client relationships. The design centred around a universal psychometric personality model we called The Colours, inspired by tools such as Lumina Spark, Insights Discovery and Tracom Social Styles. This framework supported participants to acquire a greater understanding of their own communication style and the style of others; by deepening their awareness of their own communication preferences and how to adapt them to connect with others more effectively.
Anchoring the session was an original narrative we created, set on board a vessel, to explore how we can flex our style based on the needs of others.
The Propel Experience was designed to be flexible, interactive and globally scalable, with deliveries both in-person and online. Participants are invited to reflect on what it is like to receive feedback from an unhappy client, what being a Trusted Advisor means and how we can provide this experience for our clients.
The delegates were introduced to four fictional characters, each brought to life by two of our versatile Actor / Facilitators, and each with a distinctive communication style. These characters formed part of our original narrative set on board a marine vessel, designed to reflect a real workplace situation for the organisation’s Surveyor, and participants were encouraged to adapt their communication style to engage more effectively with each stakeholder.
Through these live interactions, participants were encouraged to change the outcome of each conversation by using the technique of Forum Theatre – a powerful experiential technique that invites reflection, experimentation and shared insight. In parallel, we introduced key communication tools such as the Influencing styles model, Eric Byrne’s Transactional Analysis model and the questioning tool – QAQA – which helps delegates to explore probing questions and develop deeper conversations.
In the second half of the experience, participants engaged in challenging conversations skills practice with our Actor/Facilitators, where they were able to practice using the tools and frameworks introduced during the day. This interactive practice, coupled with specific and personalised feedback, provided a supportive environment for experimentation and skill development.
The Propel Experience launched in 2023 with pilot sessions in Rotterdam, Southampton and Busan, South Korea. From the outset the participant feedback was energised and deeply positive. As a result, The Propel Experience was rolled out in 2024 across this global assurance and risk management organisation both in online and in-person workshops across three continents, reaching countries such as the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, Greece, Singapore and India. To ensure relevance and inclusion across these diverse regions, LEXi Learn sourced and established locally based delivery teams in China and South Korea to deliver the programme in local languages with maximum impact, engagement and cultural resonance.
This collaboration was recognised at the Learning & Development Awards 2025, where Solvd Together received the award for Best Experiential Learning. LEXi Learn is proud to have supported Solvd Together in the design, creation and delivery of The Propel Experience.
Now in its third year, The Propel Experience continues to be delivered to new starters across the organisation, helping colleagues provide best practice customer service, meaningful client relationships and confident communications, in their role as Trusted Advisor.