Our Story

Hi. I'm Sian- the human behind the giraffe

Be More Giraffe is a body of work, a practice, and an invitation.

An invitation to slow down in a reactive world. To respond with more clarity. And to stay connected — even when things feel hard.

Read my story here

Where this began

For many years, I lived in constant go-mode.

On the outside, I looked capable.
On the inside, I was overwhelmed.

I was juggling work, responsibility, and family life — while quietly overriding my own needs.

At home, that overwhelm showed up in ways I didn’t like.

Snapping.
Reacting.
Raising my voice.

Followed by guilt and self-criticism.

I loved my children deeply. I just didn’t always know how to meet everyone’s needs — including my own — without losing myself in the process.

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The shift

Everything began to change when I started training in Nonviolent Communication — what I now call Compassionate Communication, or Giraffe-Speak.

Alongside my background in education and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), I began to understand behaviour differently — both mine and other people’s.

I learned that:

Reactivity is often a signal of something deeper
What looks like anger is often overwhelm or unmet needs
Repair matters more than getting it right
Self-compassion is not optional — it’s foundational

But more than anything, I learned how to pause.

Not perfectly.

But enough.

And that changed everything.

What changed

As I practised, my relationships began to soften.

Not because life became easy — but because I had a way to meet difficult moments with more awareness and care.

I stopped expecting myself to get it right all the time.

I learned how to:

Steady myself before responding
Stay present in difficult conversations
Hold boundaries without aggression
Repair without spiralling into guilt

This is where Be More Giraffe began.

Not as an idea.

But as a lived shift.

Why the giraffe?

The giraffe — with the largest heart of any land animal and the longest neck — symbolises both compassion and perspective.

For me, it represents:

Big-heartedness
Calm presence
The ability to see the wider picture

Alongside this, I use the idea of the jackal to describe our reactive, protective patterns — the part of us that shows up quickly when we feel under pressure.

Be More Giraffe isn’t about getting rid of that part.

It’s about learning to understand it — and having more choice in how we respond.

My background

Before creating Be More Giraffe, I spent many years working in education.

I am a qualified teacher with decades of experience across primary education, including leadership roles and curriculum development.

I later founded and led a multi-site tuition business, supporting children and families across a wide range of educational contexts.

Alongside this, I trained as a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and have completed extensive training in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), including international intensive programmes.

Be More Giraffe brings together:

Classroom experience
Behaviour and communication training
Emotional awareness and relational practice

Grounded not just in theory — but in real-life application.

What I do now

Today, I teach and share this work in a way that is practical, structured, and grounded in real life.

Not as a set of rules to follow.

But as a way of developing steadiness, clarity, and self-leadership in everyday conversations.

This work shows up across different contexts — including families, schools, and wider leadership spaces.

Being more giraffe isn’t about becoming a different person.

It’s about becoming more aware of what’s already happening — and having more choice in how you respond.

And sometimes, that shift begins with one slightly steadier conversation.

Where to begin? Time to Reset

If you’re new to Be More Giraffe, the best place to start is simple.

The Giraffe Reset is a short, practical guide for those moments when tension starts to rise — helping you steady yourself and respond with more clarity.

Free PDF. Instant access.

Grab the Reset

If you’d like to go further — and begin to build this into everyday life — you can explore the Giraffe Mamas Circle.

A small, guided space to practise, reflect, and bring more steadiness into real-life parenting.

Explore the Circle

(Definition) to be more giraffe: to lead yourself with steadiness, clarity and compassion — even under pressure.