ABOUT
WHAT DRIVES ME, AND MY EXPERIENCES
MY PHILOSOPHIES
Sometimes we settle for less, or accept the tiresome status quo. Or, we follow our limiting beliefs and stay small. It’s normal. (Sometimes I do it.)
But, we could be so much more, individually and collectively, if we had better connection with our unique strengths, and better connections with each other. Just think of how empowering that could be – for yourself and others. Consider how much more that would allow us all to grow together. The good news is that this is possible – I’ve clients achieve what they’d previously seen as impossible. We can indeed touch the sky!
When I think back to the difficult and challenging times in my life, my leadership, my work, this was when I felt disconnected from myself. I was lost at sea. Overwhelmed. Disempowered. But, when I dug deep, connected to my true self and what mattered most to me, I found my strength and north star, and rose up.
I had similar experiences in relationships and teams. When we were disconnected from each other, I felt disempowered, demotivated, indifferent or even fearful. No way could we thrive and grow together.
And so, my purpose – ‘To connect and empower people so they can grow together’ has emerged.
I’m a change maker, specialising in leadership coaching, team coaching and relationship coaching, which I deliver virtually and in-person. Whether I’m developing more powerful leadership, higher performing teams, building more resourceful partnerships or stronger relationships, I love it.
This work can require tremendous vulnerability. It can feel challenging. But, by bringing both sides of myself magic happens.
On the one hand I bring my empathy, lightness, positivity, enthusiasm, compassion and humanity. And, on the other hand I’ll bring my boldness, realness, courage, vulnerability and purposeful humour (what I call my Jester Wisdom). I will challenge you. You will hear some hard truths. We will have some difficult conversations – all done to push you over your edges to what’s beyond.
Collectively, that seems to somehow invite or give permission to others, it really helps others step into their vulnerability and be courageous to really own their truth. To put themselves out there. To speak up. And that, ultimately, leads to deepening connection with self or others which has them boldly moving forward, full of hope with what could be.
This reflects my personal philosophies of ’Endless possibilities’ and ’Making your destiny’ which is about creating and pursuing the life, work and legacy you want.
I’ve tried to follow these philosophies in my work and life. For example, when we (me and my then girlfriend, now wife) had the connection and courage to move from Cape Town to London, when I had the commitment and resilience to study my MBA part-time, when at the age of 38 my wife and I had the spirit of adventure to resign from work and travel around the world for five months together, when after 20 years of a successful career in marketing communications I had the self-belief to change careers to become a coach.
Connecting to my true self, my truth, and deeply connecting to others, by putting myself out there – that’s always been empowering. From this place we can all grow. I can do the same for you, your team or your relationship.
MY VISION, PURPOSE AND VALUES
My vision is a world where people see possibility in themselves and in their relationships. Where, through connection, we can all grow together.
This is reflected in my purpose which is: ‘To connect and empower people so they can grow together’.
These are underpinned by my values:
- to have the Curiosity to learn from what’s emerging here and now,
- the Courage to question and authentically express,
- the Freedom Within to surrender to your true self, to love and peace, to be present in the now, and
- the Respect to honour humanity’s diversity.
MY WORK SO FAR
I work with senior leaders and teams across various sectors including IT, marketing and media, financial services and education. I work with partners in business, and partners in the journey of life – from the boardroom to the virtual room to the living room.
My work also takes me to the training room, where as a member of the CRR Global faculty I have the privilege of teaching CRR Global’s advanced Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) to coaches wanting to take this out into the world.
Before becoming a coach, I spent more than 20 years in the creative and marketing industries, internationally and in the UK, across brands such as Renault, Sky, Visa and Ballantine’s, mostly within senior client services roles. I’ve experienced leadership (good and bad), led many teams across many organisations, and I bring all these learnings into this work.
I’m looking forward to what’s coming next!
I live with my wonderful wife and our two lovely girls. When not working, I enjoy running, drawing, theatre, films, gorgeous food and traveling.
See below my list of current qualifications (I love learning), but for more details of my qualifications and over 30 years of corporate and coaching experience, please go to my LinkedIn profile
COACHING QUALIFICATIONS
- PCC Markers, International Coaching Federation, current
- The Power of Embodied Transformation, Coaches Rising, 2022
- Rewired to Relate, Shooksvensen, 2020
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation, 2017
- Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching Certification (ORSCC), Centre for Right Relationship, 2015
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation, 2014
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Coaches Training Institute 2014
- Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching Series (ORSC), Centre for Right Relationship, 2014
- The Leadership Circle Certification, The Leadership Circle, 2014
- Team Coaching Certification, Team Coaching International, 2013
- Organisation and Relationship Systems (ORS) at Work, Centre for Right Relationship, 2013
- Relationship Agility, Coaches Training Institute, 2013
- Career Change Coaching Programme, Firework Coaching, 2013
- Co-Active Coach Training, Coaches Training Institute, 2013
CREATIVE, MARKETING AND BUSINESS QUALIFICATIONS
- Diploma in Digital Marketing (Credit) Institute of Direct Marketing, 2009
- Master of Business Administration (Merit), Open University, 2005-2007
- ISP Diploma, Institute of Sales Promotion, 1999
- Diploma in Marketing, Institute of Marketing Management, 1995-1997
- Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, University of Cape Town, 1990-1993
CLIENT OUTCOMES
“For me, there’s a ‘before’ and an ‘after’. He’s had a profound impact on how I approach my work and career. I came to him with a simple problem: “why do I hate my job so much?” And he not only helped me answer that question, but armed me with the tools to move beyond my own negativity and see my career (both past and future) in a positive light. Crucially, what Duncan has done is give me back my confidence. Knowing what you’re good at, why you’re good at it and what your goals are, has made me so much happier. Duncan is a caring and passionate guy. He’s highly perceptive and sensitive and was able to set me off down a path of self-discovery without ever being judgemental or leading. I recommend him to just about everyone I meet.” (IS)