Behind projects that really make a difference, there is always more than just passion. There is pressure, friction, time constraints and a team that must constantly strike a balance between vision, day-to-day operations and responsibility.

This is exactly the reality at Rave The Planet too. Behind the energy the project projects outwards, many processes converge simultaneously on the inside. Ideas need sorting, goals need refining, and collaboration needs constant realignment. This is precisely where coaching comes in, not as a peripheral issue, but as a vital part of keeping a team clear-headed, focused and united.

Hoai Anh Nguyen has been supporting Rave The Planet in these processes for around two and a half years. She provides support where structure and human dynamics intersect, creates space for reflection, reinforces the focus on what matters most, and helps ensure that the grand vision is not lost in day-to-day operations.

In this interview, we discuss why coaching deserves much more attention in the culture and events sector, which topics come up at Rave The Planet, and why clarity, communication and prioritisation are so crucial, particularly in high-pressure, idealism-driven projects.

Coaching in the cultural and events sector

RTP: Hello Hoai Anh, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We’re delighted to be talking to you today about your work with the Rave The Planet team.

Hoai Anh: It’s my pleasure!

RTP: You’ve been working with Rave The Planet as a coach and consultant for about two and a half years. How did the collaboration begin, and what was the initial specific reason for it?

Hoai Anh: The reason was a desire to take the team’s collaboration to the next level whilst honestly examining our vision and goals. Together, we reflected on the extent to which our current activities were truly contributing to the bigger picture and where there was scope for greater clarity and focus.

RTP: Let’s break that down: where exactly do you start when you work with the team?

Hoai Anh: Primarily in terms of structure and people-focused processes. I create spaces where the team can pause to consciously acknowledge their successes, support one another and learn from their experiences. This often leads to the very insights needed to take the next steps.

RTP: You usually work a lot with companies. But the events and cultural scene is a different kettle of fish, characterised by uncertainty, time pressure and a strong emotional connection. How does coaching in this environment differ from traditional business coaching?

Hoai Anh: What never ceases to impress me is the sheer passion within the team. The people working here are truly passionate about their cause. This shared sense of purpose is often very much in evidence. In traditional business contexts, you often have to work out this common ground first. At the same time, it’s clear that even with a great deal of passion, clarity, mutual respect and clear communication are needed for collaboration to function well in the long term.

RTP: What typical patterns of stress do you see in people who run long-term cultural and community projects?

Hoai Anh: Many want to achieve more, make more possible, and help more, and as a result they quickly reach their limits. Commitment is a great strength. At the same time, cultural and community projects also need conscious focus and clear priorities to ensure that energy is sustained in the long term.

RTP: Yes, absolutely. People often underestimate just how complex cultural projects are from an organisational perspective. What hidden areas of tension tend to arise particularly frequently in teams like these?

Hoai Anh: Under time pressure, respectful communication quickly becomes a challenge. Added to this is the high level of diversity within the team. Different (cultural) backgrounds, working styles and communication preferences bring enormous innovative power on the one hand. On the other hand, this also increases the potential for conflict. When these areas of tension are consciously addressed, it often leads to a noticeable sense of relief within the team very quickly.

RTP: Without going into too much detail: what topics typically come up at Rave The Planet?

Hoai Anh: It’s often about consciously reminding ourselves of shared team rules, keeping communication clear during stressful periods, and formulating goals clearly. Another focus is prioritising issues and consciously structuring the creative chaos without losing the project’s energy and vitality.

RTP: Is this more about decision-making, clarifying roles, conflict resolution or future strategy? Or is it all of these things at once, anyway?

Hoai Anh: In practice, many aspects are intertwined. Topics include commitment to using shared systems, communication under pressure, conflicts of interest, and a shared focus on goals and future strategy.

RTP: Rave The Planet combines a cultural mission, a political dimension and the realities of organising a major event. What makes this combination unique in coaching, and what dynamics does it give rise to?

Hoai Anh: There can be a significant tension between idealistic aspirations and operational realities. I find it particularly fascinating how consciously priorities must be set to ensure that both the vision for the content and the development of sustainable team structures and systems move forward.

RTP: How do you work with a core team that is both driven by idealism and under significant operational pressure?

Hoai Anh: For me, it’s about recognising the passion within the team whilst constantly refocusing their attention on goals and impact. Changing perspectives helps enormously. It’s equally important to foster mutual understanding.

RTP: In your view, what is key to ensuring that the vision isn’t lost amid the constant operational stress?

Hoai Anh: Consciously refocusing on the vision. Teams benefit greatly from regularly asking themselves: Do our current activities really contribute to what we want to achieve? And just as important is asking oneself honestly: Do I still fully believe in this vision?

Balancing passion, idealism and constant stress in a constructive way

RTP: What role do clarity and prioritisation play in projects of this scale?

Hoai Anh: A central role. Without clear prioritisation, energy gets spread too thinly. This quickly leads to a diffusion of responsibility, unnecessary conflicts and projects being held up. Focus provides tangible relief for the team in this regard.

RTP: Why is coaching still so rarely used in the events and cultural sector, even though the workload is often extremely high?

Hoai Anh: Often, the tangible benefits aren’t yet clear enough. Workshops are sometimes seen as just another time-consuming activity. In practice, however, it’s repeatedly shown that consciously taking a step back provides precisely the clarity that saves a lot of time and energy later on. Especially in creative environments, a good structure can be a huge relief.

RTP: At what point would you strongly advise culturally engaged organisations or collectives to seek external support?

Hoai Anh: When things seem to be running smoothly on the surface, but there’s a certain heaviness internally. For example, when deadlines are only met with a great deal of effort, collaboration feels increasingly strained, or there’s a sense that everyone wants to get things done, but progress is slower than it needs to be. These are often good times to seek a neutral perspective from outside.

RTP: What specific benefits can good coaching bring, or perhaps prevent things that would otherwise happen?

Hoai Anh: Good coaching promotes a diversity of perspectives, brings structure to complex situations and creates clarity regarding goals and decisions. It brings implicit conflicts to light and strengthens teamwork. This allows teams to refocus their efforts on the substantive work that really matters to them, rather than wasting energy on structural friction.

RTP: What personally appeals to you about supporting Rave The Planet? What makes the project special to you?

Hoai Anh: I came across Rave The Planet through a good friend and am very grateful to be able to indirectly support this grand vision. The people behind RTP bring so much personality, conviction and perseverance to the table – it’s incredibly inspiring!

RTP: What sets this project apart from other organisations you support?

Hoai Anh: The intensity of their passion. Even during challenging times, the team always comes together and goes through the ups and downs together. Their shared vision acts as a powerful unifying force here.

Why it can be helpful

RTP: Are there moments when coaching such initiatives that particularly move or motivate you?

Hoai Anh: I’m always struck by how a relatively small core team manages to bring so many people together peacefully and generate genuine emotion. When team members talk about their personal highlight of the year, you can really sense just how much this work means to them.

RTP: If you could make a wish for the future of the events and techno culture scene, what would it be?

Hoai Anh: I’d like to see even more people getting involved with passion and making a contribution to society. And I’d like to see a stronger sense of community. The events and techno culture scene creates a genuine connection between people. Especially in an increasingly digital and individualised world, that’s an enormously valuable contribution.