Every person is unique.
We have our mix of values, personal history, struggles and successes. Preferences and peculiarities. Failures, fears and flaws. Our worldviews and values affect how we present ourselves to others, and this is true also in a coaching relationship.
However, while coaching is a non-directive process which can be successful in virtually any situation, some mutual points of connection assist in creating an optimal thinking-framework between the coach and client. Coach-Client chemistry is a very important element of an effective coaching engagement: Below a short summary of my career, experience and academic qualifications, but may I suggest you also read a few of my Blogs and Vlogs to get a sense of my personality, style and approach to coaching.
This could give you an overview, but meeting in person, or online, really helps us conclude whether there is a good fit. Finally, through a good mix of humour and humility, brought about by my own personal struggles over the years, I strive to create a non-judgemental, honest and respectful growth space for clients.
Ability & Relatability: Professional and Academic Background:
After completing my Engineering studies at the (former) Rand Afrikaans University, I worked for SABMiller in the UK. Wonderful experience, but I opted to transfer back to SA to join the Warehousing and Distribution Division in SABMiller. The Automotive Component Sector beckoned with first a National Logistics position, and later the National Sales and Marketing Director position at BOSAL, a large global automotive supplier. These roles provided in-depth experience which served me well later on while serving in various General Manager and Country Director positions for a number of Tier 1 international automotive component companies.
Most recently, while Manufacturing Executive at a listed Packaging company in South Africa, I completed a master's degree in leadership Coaching at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. This allowed me to pivot into a new career: Giving back through the coaching of teams and individuals. Apart from hard won experience in some of the most competitive manufacturing environments, I also hold a CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.
By combining the practical, process thinking of an engineer with a master's in philosophy I've developed a structured, outcome driven approach without neglecting the focus of all coaching: Helping those in our care grow to the maximum of their potential.
My master's thesis focussed on improving inter-generational communication. Specifically, my research focussed on how this, through coaching, could equip senior leaders to reduce the general anxiety experienced by Gen Z professionals - a clear, current and concerning epidemic significantly influencing overall organizational performance around the world.
Having personally experienced the negative effects of significant occupational stress, I passionately believe in the effectiveness of coaching in assisting others to effectively address both personal and professional stress and chronic anxiety. Using analogies to the engineering concepts of preventative, corrective and predictive maintenance, I guide individuals and teams through a process of building sustainable and creative resilience in order to effectively engage their professional and personal challenges. I believe that humour, appropriately and intelligently used, is an essential ingredient to just about any process - certainly coaching!
On the home front I have been (happily!) married to Lindie Strydom since 2002, and the proud father of three amazing (Gen Z!) children. As a family, we believe in honouring God through serving our communities, loving one another, and enjoying the gift of life to the full.
