When your work is people-centered or service-oriented, the challenges are often complex, persistent, and not easily solved on your own. And at times, the systems around that work don’t always feel built to support it—leaving little time, space, or support to step back and work through things in a meaningful way. Ongoing efforts to streamline and automate often overlook the people most impacted: the people doing this work, and in turn, those they serve.
We believe work can be more human—and that you already have the capacity to make it so.
With the right space, tools, and support, it’s possible to improve not just what we do, but how we do it—strengthening both your practice and humanizing our workplaces in the process.
The Co.Lab Experience
co.lab is a cohort-based experience for people who are curious, collaborative, and committed to trying new approaches to meaningful challenges—especially those working in public-sector, education, healthcare, nonprofit, and other mission-driven organizations.
Together, we will dissect real workplace challenges and make progress through them in real-time. You will find empathetic and context-aware ways to make your internal systems work better: clarifying the problem, testing new approaches, and leaving with something practical you can use immediately.
By the end of co.lab, you will:
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Define a clear, actionable problem grounded in your work
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Develop and test a practical approach or prototype for solving this problem
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Learn structured methods for navigating complex challenges
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Build confidence in navigating ambiguity
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Gain a community you can continue learning from
You don’t need a fully defined problem—just something real you want to make progress on and the willingness to work through it.
You might be considering a challenge like:
“I’m responsible for a program or initiative that isn’t getting the outcomes we want, but I’m not sure what needs to change.”
“Our team is working hard, but we’re not aligned—and it’s starting to show in the work.”
“I’m navigating competing priorities across stakeholders, and it’s hard to move anything forward.”
“I have an idea for how to improve something, but I’m not sure how to test it in a way that will actually stick.”
A focused, 3-session experience
designed for momentum, not overwhelm
SESSION 1
Clarify a Problem
Share your context, dissect challenges, and draft a clear, human-centered problem statement
SESSION 2
Create & Test Prototypes
Create focused solutions and a related approach for evaluating them within your workplace
SESSION 3
Reflect & Move Forward
Discuss what you learned, document next steps, and establish accountability with peers
CHECK-IN & COACHING
(Optional) 30 minute meetings
Get 1:1 support between Session 2 and 3 to assist your meaningful progress
Next offering: Summer 2026
We are currently accepting applications for our summer cohort!
Session 1: Friday, July 10
Session 2: Friday, July 17
Session 3: Friday, July 31
Optional Check-in: Friday, July 24
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Sessions run from 9:00AM–1:00PM Central Time via Zoom
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Each session includes a screen-free, 30-minute lunch break
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Cost is $1799/participant
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Early bird special: $1499/participant for those who apply before June 14*
Apply today! Space is limited to 12 participants.
*If the cost falls outside of your professional development budget,please contactus@workingbetter.co to discuss payment options.
Our Team & Approach
Our team is united by our shared values of service, inclusion, and authenticity. For more than 20 years, we’ve trained and coached individuals and teams, witnessing the powerful growth that happens when people practice new ways of working alongside others. That’s why every program we offer is intentionally designed as a community of practice, where transformation is shared and sustained.