It's hard to lead, especially when there are internal and external pressures to be the strong one, the fixer, the one who has all the answers and never gets anything wrong. Add personal life, identity, and your own beliefs about who you are and what you are capable of into the mix, and burnout, mission drift, and a disconnection from what brought you to this work are not just vague concepts but realities that no training course or extra day off can fix.And it's harder still when you're also holding a team, a room full of people looking to you, or a group trying to find their way through something together.I offer a consistent, grounded space to slow down, think clearly, and find steadier ground, through 1:1 leadership coaching and group facilitation, working alongside people doing values-led work.I'm Max Price (they/them) - queer, non-binary, and AuDHD. I co-founded and co-led Proud2Be, an LGBTQIA+ organisation supporting young people and communities in Devon, for over 14 years. I know what it's like to lead an organisation through complexity, burnout, and change while figuring out who you are inside of it all.
1:1 Leadership Coaching
My approach to 1:1 leadership coaching is relational - it means working with the whole person, not just the professional role. It acknowledges that the personal and professional overlap, especially in values-led work, and that the most useful thing is often not an answer but a space to find your own.This is especially useful if you're:- navigating burnout, overwhelm, or a significant transition
- facing decisions without a clear path
- feeling isolated, stretched, or like you're holding too much
- working out how your identity, your brain, or your values show up in your leadership
- doing values-led work and needing space that meets you where you actually areSessions are conversational, paced around what matters most that day, and free from performance or pretence. We work with what's actually happening, not a polished version of it. I don't give you the answers; I create the space where you find them yourself.This is not therapy or clinical support. It is leadership coaching with someone who understands leadership from the inside.This work is particularly well-suited to queer and neurodivergent leaders, youth workers, community practitioners, founders, and people in roles with high emotional or relational responsibility.If you want to understand more about how I think about this work, I write about it on Substack:Why Is Negativity So Underrated? - on what this space actually holdsBye Bye Business Cards - on what relational means and where it comes fromRead more at themessymid.substack.com
"Max is great, so full of enthusiasm and care. Max encourages openness and discovery and would offer lots of experience and support to a mentee."- Dan Barton, CEO at Space Youth Services
Cohort Facilitation
I facilitate programmes and cohort spaces for emerging leaders - young people, early-career practitioners, and social entrepreneurs who are figuring out how to lead in ways that feel true to them.This is facilitation over several weeks, not one-off training delivery. I get to know the group, hold the space as it develops, and work with what actually emerges, not just a fixed agenda.I'm particularly drawn to programmes that centre:- young people and youth leadership development
- social entrepreneurs and values-led changemakers
- LGBTQIA+ inclusion and belonging
- sustainable, relational approaches to leadingPrevious facilitation includes partnership work with We Create Space, as well as 14 years of youth programme facilitation at Proud2Be.If you're running a programme, fellowship, or leadership cohort and looking for a facilitator to hold the space with care and consistency, I'd love to learn about what you're building.
"Max is a deeply thoughtful, values-driven leader who brings immense care and integrity to everything they do. Their ability to create environments where people feel safe, respected, and empowered to learn is something truly special. I'd wholeheartedly recommend Max to anyone seeking a facilitator or leader in the LGBTQ+ and wider inclusion space."- Tash Koster-Thomas, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant, Speaker & Panellist
Team & Organisational Work
I design and facilitate sessions for values-led teams - to reflect, plan, and work through what matters, whether that's a regular team meeting, a planning day, an away day, or a dedicated workshop. Particularly well-suited to teams working in charity, social enterprise, and community settings.This includes:- strategy and direction-setting sessions
- team culture, wellbeing, and sustainable practice
- LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent inclusion in practice
- safeguarding culture and reflective practice
- leadership and relational dynamics within teamsI've worked with teams across a wide range of sectors, from schools and NHS services to universities and voluntary organisations. I bring the same relational, grounded approach to working with teams as I do to 1:1 leadership coaching.If you're looking for a facilitator to work alongside your team, I'd love to learn about what you're working on.
"I think what made this training so special was Max - they created such a warm and inclusive space for open conversations, which I haven't really experienced in other training sessions."- Arts Administration & Evaluation Officer, Arts & Culture Centre, North Somerset"Max is a very warm person and created an authentic space where we were all able to look at our own practices and how we work with LGBTQIA+ people."- Practitioner, Arts & Health Charity, Devon
Pricing
1:1 Leadership Coaching
Individual sessions: £80Discounts available for block bookings - get in touch to discuss.A few reduced-rate spaces are available - please just ask.
Team & Organisational Work
- Half-day from £400
- Full day from £700Cohort programme pricing on enquiry.I work with small and mid-sized organisations. If budget is a constraint, it's worth a conversation.
About
I'm Max Price (they/them) - queer, non-binary, autistic and ADHD (AuDHD).I co-founded Proud2Be in 2011 and co-led it for over 14 years, growing it from a grassroots startup into a well-established LGBTQIA+ CIO. In that time, I held roles across safeguarding, youth participation, staff management, and organisational development, and helped to secure over £1M in funding. I co-delivered a TEDx talk and contributed to a Homeless Link national research report.I'm a Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, a qualified youth worker, and a trained facilitator. I've facilitated leadership development with We Create Space and delivered inclusion and safeguarding training to 50+ schools and organisations across the statutory and voluntary sectors. I have an enhanced DBS check for work with children and adults (March 2025).I left Proud2Be in 2025, and now I support leaders, teams, and groups navigating complexity, identity, and change.
Get in touch
If any of this resonates, get in touch.You can ask questions, find out more, or book a free 20-minute introductory call - no obligation, just a chance to talk and see if working together feels right.Sessions are online, available across the UK and internationally. Based in Warwickshire - in-person sessions available locally on request.