A bit about me
I’m a coach, writer and OD consultant based in Cape Town, South Africa. I’m also a father, husband, outdoor enthusiast and a bunch of other things that have informed my identity to greater and lesser degrees over time.
My professional journey has been anything but linear; I began my career as a business analyst in the finance sector in the UK, then the search for something more meaningful took me to Southeast Asia, where I worked as a management consultant in international development. In my early 30’s I grew increasingly interested in the behavioural dynamics of the work I was doing. Unable to ignore this pull, I returned to South Africa to study psychology. Several years into a deep immersion in human behaviour, it became clear that my calling was not to clinical work, and after a period of ungraceful floundering, I reconciled these seemingly disparate parts of myself and returned to work in organisations, but with a behavioural lens, as an OD practitioner and coach.
I spent almost 10 years in National Treasury as a Senior Technical Advisor, then left to set up an OD consultancy (dstlry.com) and my independent coaching practice. Along the way I co-founded a leadership training organisation (gestaltafrica.com), and began working on my first novel (still in progress).
My background shapes who I am and I use it in service of my work. I encourage my clients to do the same; to bring the whole of themselves to the task – not just the part of themselves that fits within the parameters of ‘leader’ or ‘founder’. I see my work as supporting human beings to grow – the leadership role is simply an expression of that.
I’m a coach, writer and OD consultant based in Cape Town, South Africa. I’m also a father, husband, outdoor enthusiast and a bunch of other things that have informed my identity to greater and lesser degrees over time.
My professional journey has been anything but linear; I began my career as a business analyst in the finance sector in the UK, then the search for something more meaningful took me to Southeast Asia, where I worked as a management consultant in international development. In my early 30’s I grew increasingly interested in the behavioural dynamics of the work I was doing. Unable to ignore this pull, I returned to South Africa to study psychology. Several years into a deep immersion in human behaviour, it became clear that my calling was not to clinical work, and after a period of ungraceful floundering, I reconciled these seemingly disparate parts of myself and returned to work in organisations, but with a behavioural lens, as an OD practitioner and coach.
I spent almost 10 years in National Treasury as a Senior Technical Advisor, then left to set up an OD consultancy (dstlry.com) and my independent coaching practice. Along the way I co-founded a leadership training organisation (gestaltafrica.com), and began working on my first novel (still in progress).
My background shapes who I am and I use it in service of my work. I encourage my clients to do the same; to bring the whole of themselves to the task – not just the part of themselves that fits within the parameters of ‘leader’ or ‘founder’. I see my work as supporting human beings to grow – the leadership role is simply an expression of that.
I’m qualified to help
My approach is grounded in the fields of Gestalt, Systems Thinking and Transactional Analysis. Qualifications include:
- ICF certified coach
- Lead trainer at Gestalt Africa
- Qualified Enneagram assessment practitioner
- Qualified Emotional Maturity Inventory assessment practitioner
- Gestalt OD practitioner (International Gestalt Organisation and Leadership Development Programme, Masterclasses, Resistance, Cape Code, and others)
- Applied Counselling from the South African College of Applied Psychology
- Foundational course in Transaction Analysis
- Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) from the University of Cape Town
I’ve worked with senior leaders from National Treasury, SA Rugby, South African Tourism, BP, UCT, RMB, FNB, City Lodge and numerous high growth SME’s globally.
I’m qualified to help
My approach is grounded in the fields of Gestalt, Systems Thinking and Transactional Analysis. Qualifications include:
- ICF certified coach
- Lead trainer at Gestalt Africa
- Qualified Enneagram assessment practitioner
- Qualified Emotional Maturity Inventory assessment practitioner
- Gestalt OD practitioner (International Gestalt Organisation and Leadership Development Programme, Masterclasses, Resistance, Cape Code, and others)
- Applied Counselling from the South African College of Applied Psychology
- Foundational course in Transaction Analysis
- Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) from the University of Cape Town
I’ve worked with senior leaders from National Treasury, SA Rugby, South African Tourism, BP, UCT, RMB, FNB, City Lodge and numerous high growth SME’s globally.
How I work
The ultimate objective of coaching is to help clients get in touch with that part of themselves that knows how to solve the issue they’re grappling with. When successful, the client leaves with more confidence, an increasingly unique leadership style, and a growth trajectory independent of the coaching support.
The path to that inner wisdom is obscured, the trail overgrown from a lifetime following alternative routes. It takes patience, courage, resiliance, optimism and a sense of humour to stay the course – this is what I ask my clients to bring to the engagement.
You can find more on my approach here
How I work
The ultimate objective of coaching is to help clients get in touch with that part of themselves that knows how to solve the issue they’re grappling with. When successful, the client leaves with more confidence, an increasingly unique leadership style, and a growth trajectory independent of the coaching support.
The path to that inner wisdom is obscured, the trail overgrown from a lifetime following alternative routes. It takes patience, courage, resiliance, optimism and a sense of humour to stay the course – this is what I ask my clients to bring to the engagement.
You can find more on my approach here
Influences
My influences include depth psychology (particularly the work of Jung and the writing of James Hollis), eastern philosophy (Taoism and Alan Watts among others), myth and fairytale (Joseph Campbell and Marie-Louise von Franz), the creative process, and, big, beautiful wide open spaces, best experienced by motorcycle.
I’m inspired by people with thoughtful takes on life – find quotes from some of them here.
Influences
My influences include depth psychology (particularly the work of Jung and the writing of James Hollis), eastern philosophy (Taoism and Alan Watts among others), myth and fairytale (Joseph Campbell and Marie-Louise von Franz), the creative process, and, big, beautiful wide open spaces, best experienced by motorcycle.
I’m inspired by people with thoughtful takes on life – find quotes from some of them here.