When Coaching Alone Isn’t Enough: The Case for Systemic Change

This article was originally written by Stefaan van den Heever in 2018. Nearly two decades later, his observation that coaching alone cannot drive lasting change feels more relevant than ever. I have been an executive coach since 2007. It is work I love deeply; there is something profoundly privileged about holding up a clear, unfiltered...

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Question of the Month – June 2026

Question: How do I give feedback without demotivating my team? Answer: Here’s the thing: the question itself contains a hidden assumption worth unpacking. Most people asking this are focused on the how of feedback. But whether feedback motivates or demotivates has far less to do with technique than most leaders think. It comes down to one...

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Why Clear Communication Really Matters

Creating an environment where people can thrive and perform at their best is a key function of leadership.  A characteristic of such an environment is that people know two things: What is expected of them Where they stand In both cases, the onus is on the leader to give their people this knowledge with absolute...

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Kind Leadership Is About Clarity, Even When It Stings

Comment on the article by Josh Hayman, Managing Director (South Africa), Legitimate Leadership: We have saying at Legitimate Leadership: “Giving is not about being nice, it is about being appropriate”.  This article by Jeni-Anne Campbell illustrates this principle with clarity.  Conversations we have in organisations often highlight that leaders experience things like Care and being...

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Question of the Month – May 2026

Question: I feel like I communicate clearly, but my team says they’re confused. How do I fix this? Answer: As a Legitimate leader, communication is not only about what is said but also about what is heard, understood, and experienced by others. When a team says they are confused, it often indicates a gap between the...

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Exploring The Difference Between Delegation And Empowerment

The difference between delegation and empowerment lies in the level of control and autonomy given to the direct report. What Must A Leader Consider When Deciding Which To Use? Direct report knowledge and skills The amount of control and autonomy required The amount of control and autonomy the leader is willing to give. What Will...

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Are You A Multiplier Or A Diminisher?

Comment on the podcast by Ian Munro, CEO, Legitimate Leadership: At Legitimate Leadership we spend a lot of our time and energy highlighting the primary role of INTENT in establishing legitimacy for our leadership. This is as true today as it was nearly 40 years ago when the Legitimate Leadership Model was crystallising. It is also...

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Accountability – It’s A Giving Thing

Accountability works best when all parties come together with a giving mindset. But consider the typical situation: a direct report arrives at a performance review hoping to get maximum scores while ready to downplay less favourable aspects of their KPIs, all the while wondering what the manager’s evaluation says. The manager comes to the meeting,...

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Question of the Month – January 2026

 Question: At the beginning of a new year, what is the most important intention a leader should set to create the conditions for better relationships and performance? Answer: At the beginning of a new year, leaders often return refreshed, optimistic, and focused on the promise of improved results and renewed momentum. Employees likewise re-enter the organisation...

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80% Of Your People Don’t Want To Be At Work. Here’s What You Can Do About It.

According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, 80% of your people are either not fully engaged or actively disengaged from their work. Budgets are tight, pressure is up, and the next 12 months will be challenging for most organisations. I find that genuinely sad – not just because of what disengagement costs commercially,...

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When Coaching Alone Isn’t Enough: The Case for Systemic Change

This article was originally written by Stefaan van den Heever in 2018. Nearly two decades later, his observation that coaching alone cannot drive lasting change feels more relevant than ever. I have been an executive coach since 2007. It is work I love deeply; there is something profoundly privileged about holding up a clear, unfiltered...

View full article