Derek Gross

I am a Gallup Global Strengths coach. I am also an accredited Associate Certified Coach (ACC), from the International Coaching Federation. As part of my coaching journey, I also completed the GIBS Professional Business Coaching Programme at the acclaimed Gordon’s Institute of Business Science.

In our sessions I connect your inner potential with your success. We bring awareness to what makes you great. As Peter Drucker once described, we have infinitely greater performance when we build upon what we naturally already find empowering, reinvigorating, and fulfilling to do; this is a strengths-based approach. A strengths-based approach however does not mean that our weaknesses are ignored, it only means that our weaknesses are not our most empowering route to success, and weaknesses must rather be disarmed.

I love working with individuals and teams and have been fortunate to work with managers in the Fortune 500 domain and global companies. I have also worked with leadership teams in several mid-size companies. I find it stimulating when time is little and the stakes are high.

One of my personal favorite quotes is from the trailblazer of flight, Otto Lilienthal, who said: “To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything.”

If you want to gain clarity on your goals, improve your communication, develop a strategic plan to take concrete steps to reach the future that you want, or find a pathway over difficult workplace situations I can support you in your journey. What are you waiting for?

My Strengths: Ideation, Strategic, Learner, Futuristic, Input, Achiever and Competition.

Leadership Coach

• Provided one-on-one coaching to senior executives and emerging leaders, helping them develop their leadership skills and achieve their

personal and professional goals.

• Designed and delivered leadership development programs, including workshops, retreats, and seminars, focused on developing leadership

competencies and improving team performance.• Utilize various assessments and tools such as the Clifton Strengths Assessment from

Gallup, to help clients gain self-awareness, enhance their communication skills, and improve their interpersonal relationships.

• Conducted follow-up coaching sessions and evaluations to measure the effectiveness of coaching interventions and support clients in

sustaining their progress towards their goals.

• Maintained an ICF credential and adhered to ICF's Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest level of professionalism and ethical conduct in

coaching practice.

Global Gallup Certified Strengths Coach

• Coached individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds, helping them identify and leverage their unique strengths to achieve personal

and professional success.

• Conducted StrengthsFinder assessments and provided in-depth analysis and feedback on individuals' strengths profiles, guiding them to

develop strategies to capitalize on their strengths and manage their weaknesses.

• Am able to facilitate strengths-based team-building workshops and training sessions, fostering a positive team culture and improving

communication, collaboration, and productivity.

• Developed and implemented customized strengths-based coaching programs for clients, tailored to their specific needs and goals.

• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices in strengths coaching, continuously improving coaching

methodologies and materials to deliver high-quality services to clients.

Developer & Architectural Drafting

• Developed and managed the construction of 32 residential homes, overseeing aspects of the building.

• Utilized CAD software to create detailed architectural plans for 64 residential developments, ensuring accuracy and adherence to building

codes and regulations.

• Worked closely to understand their needs and preferences, incorporating their feedback into the design process and delivering homes that

met or exceeded their expectations.

Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

International Coaching Federation • 2022

ICF Membership

International Coaching Federation • 2021

GIBS Professional Business Coaching Programme

GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) • 2020

Gallup - Certified Global Strengths Coach

Gallup • 2019

Nanodegree, Digital Marketing

Udacity • September 2021

National Diploma, Industrial and Product Design

Cape Peninsula University of Technology • 2007

Design and Visual Communications, General

Malmö University • 2007