As a licensed psychologist and leader, Johan is interested in the growth and development of individuals, teams and organizations. His experience working with leaders from a wide range of backgrounds continues to reinforce the idea that people and systems can and do change when applying learning and development principles. He is an expert in the use of assessments and coaching in organizations and has published in this area. Johan has led a global team, and coached and trained individuals and teams in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Johan leverages his 20 years of assessment, coaching, and consulting experience to help organizations select and develop leaders, and advises organizations on topics such as leadership and assessment strategy. Johan has designed and delivered a range of programs, including coaching skills for leaders training, to support organizations seeking to build internal capability and capacity related to assessment and coaching skills. As Chief Assessor, then Coaching Talent Leader and Senior Faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) from 2004 to 2016, Johan coached leaders and teams and was the “coach’s coach”, training and supervising CCL’s network of leadership coaches. Johan has over 2,500 hours of coaching experience. Prior to joining CCL, Johan was a US Army Officer and psychologist, practicing clinically in Army Medical Centers and then supporting Special Operations through personnel selection, leadership development, and organizational consulting. Johan’s last assignment in the Army was as Deputy Director, US Army Special Operations Command, Psychological Applications Directorate. Johan has been a Master Trainer for Paradigm Personality Labs since 2007. Johan has led WorkPlace Big Five Profile™ certification workshops for independent consultants and internal Talent Management leaders in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Johan is considered a thought leader in coaching and assessments. He co-authored a popular CCL guidebook, titled “Becoming a Leader-Coach: A step-by-step guide to developing your people.” Johan’s 2016 chapter on coaching and mentoring in the edited book, “Management and Leadership Skills for Medical Faculty: A practical handbook,” continues to be the most downloaded chapter in the book. Johan grew up in South Africa and Upstate New York and has lived in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeastern US.
Johan’s coaching and consulting work frequently involves working with organizations whose leaders and managers have scientific and technical backgrounds, including within Department of Energy, USPTO, DOJ, and Intelligence Agencies, and across sectors including advanced manufacturing, specialty chemicals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Johan works frequently with leaders across a range of functions, including communications, finance, IT, operations and strategy.
Johan thrives when working with individuals and teams in complex environments, including senior executives who are challenged by new transitions and change. He takes a collaborative and systemic approach to his coaching work, believing that ultimately all answers rest within the individual and that the relationship empowers the individual to find those answers. He works collaboratively with his client to assess leadership strengths and opportunities, and partners to set measurable goals. Assessment is only as good as what happens next. Coaching outcomes are greatly improved when there is alignment and accountability with key stakeholders. Johan’s approach is to challenge and support his clients to map out a clear accountability network, partnering with stakeholders who can provide regular and useful feedback. His systems background also informs his approach. Individuals work within a larger context and “seeing” the system is an important aspect of creating optimal conditions for personal growth and leadership development.
Johan’s training in clinical psychology with a focus on systems theory, in addition to his experience as a leader, converge to inform his practical approach to working with teams and groups. Johan’s work with teams is often focused on improving key success factors, including: a clear team purpose or identity; clarity on expected output and delivery on that expectation; effective team dynamics that reinforce collaboration and that promote learning; and engagement by all members. His approach address these factors by using the business of the team as the vehicle for development. Johan has designed and facilitated a wide range of workshops and programs, often incorporating an organization development focus, designing leadership development sessions that align with the organization’s business and talent strategy. Johan is certified in the 4MAT for Business design methodology, an approach to design that is based on adult learning theory, and takes into-account individual learning styles and organizational objectives.