About

About

Who am I?

Hello, I am Ulrike

I was born in Germany but have called South Africa home for half of my life. I love to work with people of different backgrounds and ages – embracing diversity.

Bridge-builder and a lifelong learner. Curious about human development and motivational behaviours. Passionate about leadership growth and the future world of work. Pro divergent thinking and inclusive attitudes.

Drawn to open-mindedness… a possibility mindset… paradoxes … the art of sensemaking …the spaces of the inner life.

I strive to model positivity in the world while being real. My core value is compassionate connection. Kindness goes a long way.

Ulle-about-1.jpg
“Don’t go through life, grow through life.”

Eric Butterworth

“Don’t go through life,
grow through life.”

Eric Butterworth

What do I do?

I run my own coaching and consulting business and passionately love what I do over a decade.

I believe that ideas don’t work without doing the work!

Using brain-based approaches from current neuroscience research to facilitate learning and insights, I offer my clients scientifically validated methods to maximise their potential.

At a glance, I am a:

  • Leadership Coach
  • Thinking Partner

  • Narcissism Sensemaker

  • Career Mentor

  • Future World of Work Explorer

  • Birkman® Method Consultant

  • Keynote Speaker

  • Workshop Facilitator

  • Enneagram and Five Lens Practitioner

  • Life Coach

Being fluent in English, German and Afrikaans, I work internationally with individuals and teams – both face-to-face and online (telephone, Zoom).

I have a network of like-minded coaches and specialists that I collaborate with for projects and workshops! 

I believe that my clients are remarkable human beings – captivating in their individuality.

“What is your idea of you?  Who is it that you have decided to become?  If your greatest work of art is the life you live, and ultimately life is a creative act, what life will you choose to leave behind as your masterpiece?”
― Erwin Raphael McManus

Why do I do what I do?

During my corporate years and in my private life I made a couple of observations:

  • Many so-called successful people are unfulfilled and disappointed with life. Where are satisfaction and contentment?
  • The relational aspects at work count more than I ever anticipated: “People don’t leave jobs, they leave people”.
  • It is much easier to up-skill a person than to “up-attitude”.
  • Unhealthy mindsets of leaders create unhealthy organisations. Unhealthy mindsets of partners create unhealthy relationships. So, what is a healthy mindset?
  • It all starts with our thinking: the quality of your thinking shapes your moment and your lifetime.

Most of us, if we are really honest, are looking for a life that doesn’t just look like great on the outside but is fulfilling and meaningful on the inside.  If you have a desire to go deeper, to explore what’s on the inside and come up with better ideas and decisions to craft a life on the outside, then working with me will make a difference in your life.

Why do I do what I do?

During my corporate years and in my private life I made a couple of observations:

  • Many so-called successful people are unfulfilled and disappointed with life. Where are satisfaction and contentment?
  • The relational aspects at work count more than I ever anticipated: “People don’t leave jobs, they leave people”.
  • It is much easier to up-skill a person than to “up-attitude”.
  • Unhealthy mindsets of leaders create unhealthy organisations. Unhealthy mindsets of partners create unhealthy relationships. So, what is a healthy mindset?
  • It all starts with our thinking: the quality of your thinking shapes your moment and your lifetime.

Most of us, if we are really honest, are looking for a life that doesn’t just look like great on the outside but is fulfilling and meaningful on the inside.  If you have a desire to go deeper, to explore what’s on the inside and come up with better ideas and decisions to craft a life on the outside, then working with me will make a difference in your life.

Who have I worked with?

My clients include teams and individuals from:

  • Multichoice
  • Munich Re
  • BASF
  • Mercedes
  • BMW
  • Clover
  • Ennea International
  • Roche
  • Eskom Provident Fund
  • The Friedrich Ebert Institute
  • JBS – Johannesburg School of Business
  • Wagner Consulting
  • SA Business School

as well as many other smaller companies and organisations, as schools and universities.

Who have I worked with?

My clients include teams and individuals from:

  • Multichoice
  • Munich Re
  • BASF
  • Mercedes
  • BMW
  • Clover
  • Ennea International
  • Roche
  • Eskom Provident Fund
  • The Friederich Ebert Institute
  • JBS – Johannesberg School of Business
  • Wagner Consulting
  • SA Business School

as well as many other smaller companies and organisations, as well as schools and universities.

My professional background

Prior to becoming a leadership coach, I enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 20 years working for prestigious companies such as Anglo American, Total SA, Lufthansa, IMA Institute fuer Molekularbiologie und Analytik, (GmbH) and Hoechst AG (Aventis, Sanofi) where I was exposed to many facets of business. I shared directorship in a small consultancy “Solid Air Resources” which specialised in providing research and recommendations for the SA telecommunications industry (mainly Vodacom).

I hold a deep understanding of the international business environment and have extensive experience in the fields of business development, venture capital, business strategy and planning, information systems, market research, technology evaluation, organisational and individual change processes.

I am one of a handful of certified coaches using the globally renowned Birkman Method in South Africa.

I am a part of the

  • International Coach Federation (ICF)
  • NLP Meta Foundation
  • Neuro-Semantics
  • Diamonds Women’s Network (NGO)

Other affiliated companies

Less important but still me

I love nature, travelling, sports, hiking, dancing, literature, good wine, and even better conversations. And dried fruit in dark chocolate! Drinking water! Wim Hof breathing exercises

COACHING CREDENTIALS

Meta-NLP Practitioner   –   International Society of Neuro-Semantics   –   2019
5 Lens Development Platform Level 2 Team Coach   –   Ennea International   –   2017
5 Lens Development Platform (5LQ) Practitioner   –   Ennea International (individuals)   –   2016
Nancy Kline Masterclass “Time to Think”   –   2016
Team Coach   –   Results Coaching Systems (Neuroleadership Group)   –   2014
Internationally Certified Birkman Consultant   –   2013
Associate Certified Meta Coach (ACMC)   –   International Society of Neurosemantics   –   2012
Intuitive Coach   –   Results Coaching Systems   –   (Neuroleadership Group)   –   2011
Executive Leadership Coach   –   Xpand (Europe)   –   2010
Intensive Coach Training (ICT)   –   Results Coaching Systems (Neuroleadership Group)   –   2007