A SELECTION OF PAST AND CURRENT CLIENTS
Local and international executive coaching
I provide corporate-sponsored executive coaching for local and international leaders, merging psychological depth with practical strategies for transformative progress in high-stakes environments. Coaching directions are often a combination of individual goals and inputs from line managers and/or leadership programs. Sessions can be structured as short, focused interventions or as ongoing monthly or bi‑monthly engagements to support performance, learning and resilience over time.
Coaching Philosophy
Leader Development
Executive Stress & Productivity
Leaders are only trusted and followed over time if they are emotionally and intellectually integrated and authentic. They will eventually be exposed and disregarded if they merely adopt the “tricks of the trade”, perhaps having learned lots of “leadership theory” on the way. It takes courage, patience and guidance to face ourselves clearly, to evolve internally and to fully evolve self-leadership. Executives anticipating promotion are also well served by a time of focused personal development to prepare themselves for their expanded future roles.
As pressures to increase leverage and hold costs down continue to rise, the risks and strains of high individual workloads pose a threat to executives and their organisations. Being able to prioritise, manage workflow and reduce the personal impact of high-stress roles requires key philosophical anchoring and practical tools that can be used every day. Akin to regular gym visits, a growing number of executives are also making use of regular sessions for debriefing, ongoing learning and support across time. Monthly or bi-monthly sessions are proving to be an effective way of maintaining health and optimal cognitive and creative functioning.
Executive Support
Times of crisis in the personal or professional life of the individual call for additional support to either limit damage or support optimal functioning through the crisis period. Personal crises that can benefit from Executive Support can be serious illness, divorce, trauma, addiction and the like, while professional crises include once-off work stress peaks such as external audits, incident or ongoing work conflict, company restructuring and major shifts in market forces.
Career & Emotional Intelligence
We are not paid to simply “be ourselves”, but to fulfil very specific roles. The paradox of fulfilling a role authentically merits close attention and care to avoid the complex pitfalls. How we manage ourselves and the complexities of office dynamics will also greatly impact our task effectiveness, regardless of whether we see ourselves as “people-oriented” or not. Executives often need assistance to avoid the “reputational drag” that can accompany either an over- or under-focus on task. Many very technically skilled people find the challenge of getting things done with or through people tremendously frustrating, and not something they were taught in their technical or “hard skill” professional training.
Depth Coaching
Very often the internal obstacles to sustained performance are harder to grasp and to move out of the way than those in the working environment. These can include a range of self-limiting factors such as self-doubt, anxiety, ADHD, anger levels, fear of failure, depression and conflict avoidance. Being a qualified psychologist allows the depth coaching process to go to any and all levels required to bring about insight and personal transformation. Growing numbers of executives are realising that business success alone does not constitute a full life, so any comprehensive coaching program should include coaching for Purpose and Meaning. This has special importance in an age where individuals increasingly look to their work to supply not only material needs, but opportunities for meaning and fulfilment as well.
Coaching into Coaching
Coaching, with its focus on latent potential and co-creation, is fast becoming the management style and corporate culture of the future (rather than just an individual intervention). Every manager is potentially a coach, and equipping and empowering managers to be effective staff and team coaches can yield real value. Studies show that on average, people are utilising only 40% of their potential in everyday work. Coaching as a management practice and style can do much to tap into this resource. Not only can managers-as-coaches increase performance in staff, but it can further provide sources of meaning and purpose for those who are charged with leadership and responsibility.
Professional Credentials
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
- Bachelor of Business Science - University of Cape Town
- MA Counselling Psychology - University of Stellenbosch
PROFESSIONAL BODIES and ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
- COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa)
- HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa)
- Psychological Society of South Africa
- Heartstyles Accredited Associate
- Tidal Associate Coach
- Master Trainer and International Coach (Getting Things Done)