FuturePlanet 7 Principles for Effective Collaboration

In places where we hold space, we have for some time been using Chatham House Rule. It was then recently that we reflected on whether that is a guide that helps us collaborate well. 

It creates a safe space for open dialogue. However, what you need for effective collaboration is to be open and intentional in the connection, people and stories—and to do that at scale. This joins up the silos of activities and reduces our friction in creating systemic change

So we took time to create the FuturePlanet Principles for Effective Collaboration.

Sitting with both spaces, this is how the difference between Chatham House and FuturePlanet has come into focus for us.

Dialogue vs. Action-Oriented Collaboration

Chatham House
Enables safe, open dialogue without fear of personal attribution. It supports exchange but stops at conversation. 

FuturePlanet
Designed to go beyond dialogue and get to action. Conversations are a springboard for collaboration, co-creation and impact — helping people take real steps together.

Relationship Depth: Anonymity vs. Authentic Connection

Chatham House
Prioritizes anonymity, which protects candour but can limit emotional connection and trust-building.

FuturePlanet
Encourages authentic sharing and personal storytelling (with consent). This deepens trust, empathy, and the kind of meaningful relationships that create a resilient community and lead to long-term collaboration.

Community Intention: Individual Expression vs. Ecosystem Building

Chatham House 
Focuses on what individuals can say safely in a protected environment.

FuturePlanet
An interconnected community, where insights are shared to connect people, growing collective intelligence, and scale systemic change - together.

Holding these reflections together, we recognise the enduring value of Chatham House Rules.

We then build on that foundation, leaning further into the strengths of the community that we have co-created with our changemakers. Eight years of learning, listening, and evolving have shown us what truly helps our members feel supported, trusted, and confident enough to champion this space.

From there, we’ve distilled below how we collaborate into FuturePlanet 7 Principles for Effective Collaboration below.

1. Open by default to inspire action and collaboration

At FuturePlanet, we believe knowledge is most powerful when it sparks action, and action comes from relevance and connection. We share insights openly, attribution is encouraged, but optional.

2. Share authentically, support with empathy

Our connection and trust grows when we speak from the heart. We create safety for each of us to share. Personal stories and sensitive information stay in the group.

3. Make it actionable, we learn together

Insights should inspire others with confidence and the ability to act. Share thoughtfully. How did you do this? How can someone else act?

4. Root our relationships with reciprocity

We each have something to offer and are generous with our sharing. Just as you receive insight from the group, give something thoughtful back. A perspective, a connection, or an update.

5. Transparency and no hidden agendas

When we share openly, it leaves space for others to lean in. Be open about with sharing intentions and insights, and receive others with empathy and care.

6. We each have a role to play 

Whether innovators, policy makers, pioneers and practitioners, we are all on the journey together and can help each other to play our role. Our members share openly and create space to nurture ideas and innovation.

7. Coordination and connection to collaborate

FuturePlanet is actively connecting people with similar challenges or goals. Insights should help people find partners, spark ideas, and build momentum. Collaboration isn’t passive, it’s something we build together. We collectively tend our garden of connection, challenges and solutions, committing to contribute to the whole.

These principles reflect how collaboration already shows up in our community.

Below you'll find reflections from our community members, showing how these ways of working have enabled confidence, action, and success in their journey.

You have created such a wonderful atmosphere of positivity and support and that radiated out in the room. It was fascinating for me too to talk with some of the ESG professionals about their work and get under the hood of how this all works.

FOUNDER, THE ORCHARD PROJECT Katharine Rosen

It's really fascinating hearing everybody's different approaches to some of the challenges they're facing. Amongst the common challenges, we also have common values, it was very uniting to feel that sense of solidarity.

DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE FINANCE ENGAGEMENT, BNP PARIBAS Sarisher Mann

Being a part of this community for the last couple of years has been immensely helpful. It further highlights that working in sustainability is a collaborative action with shared common goals and hearing the perspectives of those in different sectors with similar challenges has been incredibly powerful.

EMEA REGIONAL LEAD SUSTAINABILITY, BASF Tony Heslop

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.

And...

If this way of collaborating and supporting each other resonates, we’d love to explore how we can help you achieve your goals. Apply for membership below.

Join an industry group! There are so many brilliant ones out there in sector like Future Planet. Our voices are stronger as one and these networks are wonderfully supportive.

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER - SAVILLS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Emily Hamilton

Being part of the Future Planet Community has been genuinely rewarding. The connections I've received and the introductions I’ve made through the network have led to tangible impact, sparking collaborations, accelerating sustainability initiatives, and opening doors to innovation.

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER - HH GLOBAL Kevin Dunckley