In this episode of The Belonging Shift, host Mantej Singh speaks with Lucy Cole Edelstein, founder of Kadima Training, about what it takes to build genuine belonging through community engagement. She shares practical shifts for leaders: get on the ground, listen firsthand, treat engagement as risk management done early. Lucy reflects on three decades in the field and shares why engagement must move beyond spin and transactional consultation toward real relationships, time with communities, and humility - especially in a diverse Australia.

Key points

Belonging brings a new mindset to engagement and should shape practice.
Technology can speed work up, but it can also become something we hide behind.
Straight communication builds trust more than polished messaging and “spin”.
Engagement takes time - like a snowball, it grows as it rolls.
The relationship shift and the humility shift are essential for enagging diverse communities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Belonging & Community Engagement

02:58 Lucy’s Journey in Community Engagement

07:44 Evolution of Community Engagement Over 30 Years

13:08 Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging in Engagement

17:05 Barriers to Progress in Community Engagement

21:43 The Relationship Shift & the Humility Shift for belonging in engagement

Guest Bio

Lucy Cole Edelstein is a long-time community engagement practitioner, with 30 years experience across government, consultancy, and training. During this time she built and led teams, founded and onsold her own agency. She was a founding member of IAP2 Australasia and won multiple national and international awards for her engagement and facilitation.

Lucy established Kadima-training that sticks! - after a 30 year career as a consultant. She is passionate about engagement and supporting emerging and mid-career professionals to have the success she has had. Importantly, she is passionate about great practice, challenging work and achieving success at work while maintaining a balanced and rewarding personal life.

Links / resources

• Kadima Training website

• Lucy Cole Edelstein LinkedIn

About the host

Mantej Singh is the founder of Belonging Co - a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney. He brings 20+ years’ experience in community engagement, placemaking and inclusion, focused on systemic change and community led outcomes. Mantej emphasizes systemic change, leadership accountability to foster genuine belonging and cultural inclusion.

Links / resources

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Connect with Mantej or Lucy if you want help with your community and stakeholder engagement projects or initiatives.