Introducing Gerhard
Nineteen years in ministry and leading a team of pastors prepared me well for my calling to the world of organisations and leadership. I always had the passion for development of organisations, the underlying dynamics of it and especially the relevance of broader society to the organisation and vice versa the relevance of the organisation to broader society. In my doctorate study I researched the role of a paradigm change and its impact on organisational structures in the development of congregations. My experience as a pastor offered invaluable experience of, amongst others, the challenges of team building, leadership, organisational dynamics and strategic thinking.
In the world as we know it today, the workplace constantly go through changes - some of which are radical and with very high impact on people's lives. In general it becomes more and more demanding on body, mind, spirit and emotions. Work takes up the major part of most peoples non-sleeping hours. Knowing who you are, what you want and where you are going, therefore, have to be relevant to your work and what you experience in your work. It is the one place where the need for integration is felt the strongest. I made a career change to understand more of these challenges and to contribute in my own way to a better society through leadership and organisational development.
I completed my Masters of Commerce (Leadership) at Natal University in 2003 with the dissertation title: The need and process for the change from a management to a leadership culture in organisations. Working with The Lead Africa Group during 2003-2004 gave me the opportunity to do a lot of research and development work, designing assessment instruments, and facilitating leadership programs. In the same time I was part of the Lumus Standard development team. Lumus is a joint venture with Ernst & Young in value chain solutions. I was responsible for the leadership component of the instrument and am an assessor and preferred service provider in leadership development.