In order to work with people at the deeper levels of awareness, I first had to begin an inward journey myself. This was driven not only by curiosity, but above all because life shook me awake. My divorce in 2004, a burnout, the decline and passing of both my parents, and other forms of loss caused a pain that awakened the need to understand myself better.

I began to explore my personality, my deeper motivations and my past. This helped – and continues to help – me to see and understand the origins of my own familiar dynamics and patterns. I will continue to do this, because development is never finished. Personal leadership, in my view, is a lifelong quest whose aim is not to become a ‘good’ person, but a ‘whole’ person: strong and vulnerable at the same time.

I sometimes draw on my own journey in coaching conversations. Not because I now know how things work, or how they should be done, but because it can be comforting to be guided by someone who is familiar with the themes you bring. Without making it too much about me, I occasionally use my own stories to invite clients to explore for themselves.

When you work with me, you can be sure that every question I ask you is one that I have asked myself before.