Journal

Week 2– Senge Systems Thinking
“Over the years I’ve coached, led and developed thousands of leaders. My work is grounded in real conversations, behavioural change and performance psychology born from practice, not theory. I’ve read hundreds of books. Interrogated so many models – but I rarely talk about them. Behind the questions I ask and the shifts I help create, there’s a body of knowledge that’s shaped my approach, and theories I haven’t committed to memory but which inform how I work.
This series is my way of surfacing that – one model at a time.”.

Underneath - Stefan’s Week-notes 17/05/2025
“It also reveals something bigger—how on (or off) it an organisation really is when it comes to developing its people. When leadership development becomes just another procurement task, something vital gets lost.
I’m thinking of writing about it—maybe a blog, maybe a provocation.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and assign them tasks, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry”.

Week 1– The Immunity to Change Model
“Over the years I’ve coached, led and developed thousands of leaders. My work is grounded in real conversations, behavioural change and performance psychology born from practice, not theory. I’ve read hundreds of books. Interrogated so many models – but I rarely talk about them. Behind the questions I ask and the shifts I help create, there’s a body of knowledge that’s shaped my approach, and theories I haven’t committed to memory but which inform how I work.
This series is my way of surfacing that – one model at a time.”.

Becoming: The Deeper Work of Coaching
“Becoming someone who can trust their own voice.
Make braver choices.
Let go of what no longer fits – and grow into something truer.
Because when the internal voices quiet… coalesce… align – you don’t just perform better.
You become who you’re truly capable of being.”

Lion- Stefan’s Week-notes 03/05/2025.
“There’s a shift I’m sensing - not loud, but undeniable. More leaders are naming their fragility. Not as weakness, but as truth. The old armour doesn’t fit anymore, and the systems around them are slow to catch up. At the same time, I’m hearing the quiet rise of boldness - leaders are asking better questions, not just faster ones. Choosing alignment over urgency.
It feels like we’re on the edge of a different kind of leadership - one rooted more in congruence than control and one which is slowly realising that direction and clarity is not control; it’s actually freeing. ”.

Team Coaching: A Journey through the G.R.O.W.T.H. Model
“Let’s be honest—most teams don’t need more meetings, dashboards, or another away day with Post-its and platitudes.
What most teams need is a moment of truth.
A pause.
A deep breath.
A chance to see themselves clearly—above the surface and beneath it.”.

Case Study -DASA: How Partnerships and Impact became one team…
“Meeting Stefan was a transformational moment for us. A change programme had been ongoing across the Leadership Team for two years, small gains had been made but the most significant behavioural changes were yet to come. We realised that we needed someone with a fresh perspective who we could have a professional relationship, ask difficult questions, and help us address our challenges head on”.

Case Study: Stannah – Engineering a Step Change in Performance and Culture
“Stannah’s engineering function was already delivering. But with an increasingly complex global market, emerging competitors, and a shifting internal landscape, the team saw an opportunity to go further: to bring new products to market faster, and to work more efficiently.
The invitation was to support the team in sharpening their strategy,”.

Wanted - Stefan’s Week-notes 03/05/2025
““Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” – Margaret Mead
At the edges of my work, I’m sensing a shift – an opening. More people are talking about doing good work. Not just efficient or scalable or high-performing work – good work. The kind that’s thoughtful, systemic, human. People are commenting on my brand and message more, and there’s a gentle, growing sense of alignment”.

Giving Voice to Good People: A reflection
“Yesterday, I shared a short video introducing a model that’s emerged through years of coaching good people leading great things.
In the video, I spoke about something I see time and again in my work with leaders across sectors: the profound importance of voice.
Not just speaking. Not just messaging.
But the deeper, more human journey of finding your own voice, sharing it with integrity, and making space for others to find theirs.”

Fire & Legacy - Stefan’s Week-notes 25/04/2025
“This week felt rich with connection and future-facing energy. I adored a session I held with a leader and influencer in the digital space—someone shaping bold ideas in bold spaces. We explored their longer-term vision and how their current work connects deeply to that purpose. Together, we uncovered how their platform could become a playing and prototyping ground for future strands of impact. It was one of those sessions that reminded me why I love this work: vision, purpose, and play all in the mix”.

Stefan: Lead So Radically They Wonder Why
“…Lead so radically they wonder why.
This small shift in wording speaks volumes. Radical leadership isn’t about being louder or more dominant—it’s about being rooted in who you are and how you show up in the world. It’s about showing up in a way that challenges and supports others to step into their best selves.
But here’s the thing: Many good people, leading great things, forget to look inward…”

Your Career Path: From Exploration to Legacy
“…helping good people who aspire to lead great things traverse the intricate stages of their career paths. Each journey is distinct, shaped by individual experiences, aspirations, and values. However, a common progression unfolds—from exploration to legacy—where each stage enriches the next, creating a tapestry of growth and impact”

Coddiwomple - Stefan’s Week-notes 01/02/202
“This week, it has been truly empowering to write an article on the importance of facilitative leadership and its role in overcoming organisational stagnation and fostering meaningful change”.

Stop Holding Back: Leadership
“Many leaders struggle with the responsibility of guiding change, often feeling trapped in outdated hierarchical structures that prioritise status over facilitation. This fear of being seen as authoritarian leads to circular conversations lacking clear direction, creating frustration and stifling meaningful change.”

Journey - Stefan’s Week-notes 25/01/2025
“This week has been a bit of an ebb and flow, like the sea—gentle highs and lows, each moment bringing something new. Here’s a quick rundown:
I’ve decided to make my Weeknotes shorter moving forward. It’s been cathartic to write in long form, and I’m grateful for everyone who’s taken the time to read the details. But it feels like it’s time to lighten many facets of life now, and that includes this little practice of reflection”

Social Rest - A Vital Reset for Leaders After a Busy Work Week
“As a leaders, the demands of our roles can leave us feeling drained by the end of a busy week. The responsibility of leading teams, making critical decisions, and juggling multiple tasks can take its toll on our mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to carve out moments for social rest—spending time with others in a way that rejuvenates us instead of draining our energy”.

Coaching Tools: Empowerment Reframing
“In a world where challenges are part of everyday life, it’s common to grapple with negative thoughts, particularly for empathic leaders. These thoughts often arise from high expectations, self-doubt, or external criticism. However, our responses to these feelings can significantly shape our leadership journey. Enter Empowerment Reframing—an effective technique that helps us acknowledge our emotions and transform them into powerful catalysts for growth”.

Optimism - Stefan’s Week-Notes 18/01/2025
“As a coach, my belief is that the growth we gain from leaning into challenges and lessons is where life is at. This mindset encourages optimism, persistence, adaptation, and confidence and in turn empowers clients to push beyond their limits and perform at their best.
Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about believing that growth is always possible. A positive perspective transforms potential into achievement”.

Work: A Thriving Planet: The Vision
“By coming together under this common vision, we can inspire one another, share resources, and cultivate an environment of trust and accountability, enabling us to champion sustainable practices that truly make a difference. This shared commitment to a thriving planet will empower us to drive meaningful action that benefits both people and the planet for generations to come.”