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Shapeshifters Do The Liminal Work
In organisations and professional ecosystems, a number of people specialise in doing the liminal work – what tends to fall between the cracks. They drive continuous improvement, catalyse change, absorb shocks, and build more coherent cultures. They manage stakeholders, align strategy, and operationalise processes. They juggle emotions, mental models, protocols, incentives and technological systems. They weave together teams, organisations, sectors, communities and ecosystems. They work as strategic project leads, chief culture and improvement officers, business transformation managers, heads of innovation, chiefs of staff, fractional executives, or in many middle management roles – interim or in-house, and often de facto. We call them shapeshifters.
Shapeshifters are present in most organisations and professional environments. However, there is no consistent discourse or models around their role: no standard position descriptions or KPIs, no recognisable job titles and career pathways, no specific training opportunities, no unified industry forums or advocacy bodies.
As a result, shapeshifting is often experienced as shapelessness, leading to invisibility. Shapeshifters tend to experience loneliness and self-doubt. They feel undervalued, under-recognised, or confusing to those around them, even themselves. This affects shapeshifters’ capacity to get things done, access resources, and sustain their work.
We created Shapeshifters Group to give shapeshifters voice and visibility.
What we do
What we do
GATHER
We bring together shapeshifters for companionship and mutual recognition.
EXPLORE
We design tools, models and frameworks to demystify the work of shapeshifters.
PRACTICE
We refine and integrate shapeshifter skills through targeted programs.
ADVOCATE
We engage with HR, training and industry bodies to support and value shapeshifters.
Are you a shapeshifter?
Are you a shapeshifter?
As a first step towards recognition, we developed a profiling tool tracking seven core competencies that shapeshifters use in their work. This profiling tool is intended not as a sorting hat to tell 'who is a shapeshifter or not', but a reflective tool where shapeshifters can see what they habitually do, and gain confidence in their skills.
This is the first version of an original framework, made for and by shapeshifters. Read the Shapeshifters Competency Booklet – or click below to take the test (use the code 'shapeshifter').
Join us!
Join us!
One-of-a-kind is lonely. Together is powerful.
We want to enjoy a sense of professional connection, reflect on our practice and its value with people who get it, and increase our capacity to shape our organisations, ecosystems and broader society.
For this, we're looking to run regular gatherings, co-design models and frameworks, run targeted programs, and advocate on behalf of shapeshifters.
We're in the early stages, and we're looking for aligned people and organisations. To get involved or keep in the loop, follow us on LinkedIn!
MEET THE TEAM
Helen is a workplace shapeshifter—part coach, part catalyst, part quiet conjurer of clarity. She slips between roles and realities, spotting patterns others miss and helping people dance with change instead of dreading it. With decades of deep experience and a toolkit full of practical enchantments, she transforms theory into something useful, human, and occasionally magical. She’s the kind of invisible ally who leaves visible ripples.
Julien is a French-Australian philosopher, editor, and facilitator. He helps people find personal and professional clarity as they engage with the complex challenges of the 21st century. His past job titles include tutor, (co)founder, author, strategy and evaluation officer, festival director, chief culture officer, executive support officer, director, producer, advisor, editor, editor-in-chief, and philosopher in residence. He likes to listen and look for common ground.
Magnus is a facilitator and coach specialising in organisational dynamics and leadership development. With an extensive background in the IT industry, research, the non-profit sector, and politics, Magnus brings diverse experience and perspectives to his work.
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