Approach

I employ a unique range of techniques to assist leaders of business, family and social enterprises to interpret and respond correctly to complex people or organizational challenges.

This may be to adapt to short-term impacts, or to realign client organizations with longer-term strategies.

Much of my work is in personalized Executive Coaching, however, based on 35 years of corporate experience to Board level, I also offer business advisory support in People and Organizational Management.

Organizational Psychology is at the center of the analysis and interventions that I lead.

I operate internationally, primarily from Cape Town and London.

Profile

Background

My approach has been developed over 35 years of working and studying internationally in a diversity of environments, from stable and progressive, to innovative and artistic, to disrupted and complex. Along the way I have qualified with a Masters degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology, a degree in Organizational Psychology at INSEAD, studied business at Harvard Business School, and have extensive experience as a fixed wing and helicopter pilot.

Direct experience in senior leadership roles in manufacturing, retail and professional services, and entrepreneurial interests in music and aviation have allowed me to develop deep insight into humans both as organizational resources and as unique individuals. My corporate experience ranges from hands-on detail in a number of business functions to the highest levels of Boardroom governance and participation. I have led the Human Capital functions of two major South African retailers, and built early consulting skills through positions in a major global consulting firm. I have been fortunate to have worked with CEO's of large multi-national companies, chair national industry forums, serve as a Trustee in various entities, and have sat on advisory boards in the USA, Switzerland, Russia, and Southern Africa. I have worked extensively with Business Schools worldwide, and held membership of numerous organizations.

I am confident that my track record demonstrates legitimate guidance to clients seeking to better understand themselves and the organizations in which they live and work. Feedback from clients indicates success in designing and applying methods of support that drives personal and organizational effectiveness, particularly where change and transition are requirements to unlock new potential and stimulate progress towards new goals.

SG Consulting

Further to the above, although I am now less involved, for many years I have led SG Consulting supported by a network of associates. My lead role involves directing client engagement, leading responses to client challenges and situations, and calling upon carefully selected, credible and skilled professionals, chosen for specific assignments against a clear understanding of client requirements.

My unique professional contribution to SG Consulting includes organizational strategy; the alignment of strategy-organization-people; the development of executive capacity; and the development of key individuals in positions of complex decision-making.

Typical interventions include:

Organizational improvement

This focuses on better enabling the chosen business or operational model through careful organization design, while offering fresh perspectives to leaders of businesses, family enterprises or society organizations on how best to configure the resources available to them.

Succession planning

I am intimately involved with a number of family businesses, specializing in succession planning and generational transitions. This includes readiness assessments of the incoming generation and their subsequent preparation and development, as well as personal assistance to the outgoing generation.

Leadership, strategy and execution

Ongoing advice is provided to established clients to build continuous clarity of direction, strength of leadership, well organized management and executive capabilities, and superior performance of human capital assets. Very high emphasis is placed on relationship, trust and partnership in working towards agreed outcomes.

Individual coaching

I offer intense personal assistance to individuals in support of their career development, or where a person may simply require time out to reflect on life and their place in it. This includes partnering closely with leaders in their personal spaces where values, judgement, decisions and behavior are honed before emerging as unique attributes that successfully progress their world.