AJ Edge

Leadership, Team & Women's Empowerment Coach

I am passionate about social change and committed to working towards a socially just, healthy, safe and sustainable world. I do this by bringing the proven benefits of coaching to organisations addressing social issues. This includes, for example, leadership coaching, team coaching, project management coaching and organizational development coaching.

Empowering women is essential for social change. Therefore, I offer women’s empowerment coaching either via a group programme or on an individual basis.  This is open to women in any sector.  My coaching fosters women’s empowerment and growth as individual clients, and as part of systemic change within organisations.  

For more information on my coaching programmes, please visit https://spiraledge.co.za/

MY APPROACH

Whether I am coaching, mentoring, or facilitating, I do so in a co-active, collaborative manner, integrating with people’s previous learning and experiences, drawing only on the most relevant coaching tools and processes to achieve the desired outcomes. I am a strengths-based coach. I believe that no matter what the context, all organisations, teams and individuals have strengths. When these are maximised, those involved can achieve the incredible.  I am driven by the principals of positive psychology. I work with people to appreciate and build on strengths, reframe challenges and shift negative narratives. In addition, I support clients to create thinking environments, and harness the power of possibility leadership.

Sustainability is a key value for me. I work with clients to build skills, processes and mindsets to reduce the need for external support and move forward independently.

MY BACKGROUND

After 8 years in corporate public relations in the UK, I changed careers and qualified in adult education.  I came to South Africa in 2001 as a volunteer training manager on a youth HIV programme.  During my 2-year contract, I fell in love with the region, and committed myself to being a contribution to its progress.  With over 20 years’ capacity building experience in donor funded organisations and the public sector, I understand the challenges faced by leadership and their teams.  From being a senior manager through to steering committee member, NGO Board member, and consultant coach, I’ve experienced first-hand the commitment and passion that drives people in the sector despite these constraints.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

I take my development as a coach deeply seriously and in addition to formal learning, I regularly participate in learning events organised by the International Coaching Federation, Coaches and mentors of South Africa, and other recognised bodies. I am currently working towards ICF PCC accreditation.

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITATION EXPERTISE

My capacity building experience includes designing impactful learning programmes, delivering and evaluating their impact.  I am an experienced curriculum developer and content creator in my fields of expertise from communication and mentoring skills, to leadership development and personal mastery.  Whether I am facilitating learning programmes or process workshops such as strategy development, I do so in a collaborative manner, weaving in thinking environment methodologies to ensure all present generate their freshest thinking.  

TESTIMONIALS

“From our first session, AJ helped me, gently and with humour, to see what was working in my management of the team and what wasn’t. Coaching made me focus on what needed to get done and helped me think through different approaches. AJ helped me acknowledge my strengths and abilities, in the face of a challenging work environment.” Manager, South African NGO.

“AJ is a highly skilled coach, warm, supportive, encouraging, and comfortable to ask challenging questions when needed to drive positive change. If you are looking for someone to help you move to the next level she will provide a perfect coaching relationship in which to do so.” Self employed consultant

Finally, I am Johannesburg based and serve the Southern African region.

15A Caithness Road, Blairgowrie, Randburg, 2194, South Africa