Realize Your Latent Leadership Potential!
We are each a multifaceted interweaving of light and dark, strengths and shadows, blind spots and stressors, that illuminate our identity and shape our destiny. By transforming our inner self, we have the power to change our outer context and uplift our life experience.
Our latent leadership potential can be found by setting high aspirations, taking a systemic perspective, cultivating our holistic self, creating a conscious business, healing inner shadow, and collaborating with stakeholders across the business ecosystem to benefit everyone.
StageSHIFT takes a transformative 3rd generation coaching approach integrating heartspace and mindset, knowhow and skillset, including psychology, business, change, neuroscience, eastern wisdom, and soul evolution to guide executive leaders on this journey.
Our proven pathway can accelerate the journey for you as a Senior Executive or Executive Coach to become a Visionary Inspiring Purposeful - VIP - Leader with a mature Synergist Mindset in just 1-2 years, 3 times faster than the usual 5-6 years.
Antoinette's profound and rare capacity to simultaneously inspire developmental movement in individuals, teams and the wider community is remarkable. She is part of a class of brilliant, humble human beings, who invite you to fully meet yourself, both your shadows and unfolding potential, simply by their presence and capacity to hold that space.
Through her unique, well-researched body of work, she enables leaders to integrate business, spirituality, and human development in a way that we all win: our planet, our communities, and our businesses. I feel privileged and honoured to be part of her community.
- Jacqueline van Paassen, Transformative StageSHIFT Executive Coach & Consultant
Being both gentle and direct, intuitive and clear, Antoinette generously and courageously shares her wisdom and insights. It's a truly amazing experience, being guided by you, in the spiritually connected space where we meet.
The StageSHIFT Coaching Certification Program is an incredibly rich program, bringing together frameworks and research that enables us to see vertical evolution in a new and holistic way. The Discovery Dialogues with Antoinette are a wonderful opportunity to deepen the understanding, making this program not just another certification, but an essential part of your soul evolution. It’s such a beautiful journey!
- Karin Hamrin, Leadership Coach in the Transformation of Leaders and Organizations
Without her firm, generous, friendly, thought-provoking, heart-opening and soul-freeing guidance throughout the program I wouldn’t be where I am today: on purpose with a big mind, open heart, and free soul for the greater good.
I was preparing myself to be the solid holding space for CEOs and strategic leaders and knew I needed to do that specialised inner work with someone who is very established at a mature stage of consciousness.
I notice that I bring more courage and crystal-clear integrity to my coaching practice. I highly recommend StageSHIFT if you aspire to evolve.
- Sharifah Raudhah AlQudsy, Transformative StageSHIFT Executive Coach
What does Vertical mean for Executives?
StageSHIFT specializes in accelerating the latent opportunity for Senior Leaders and Executive Coaches to develop the Open Synergist Mindset and Heartspace that enables executives to flourish in a CXO or Divisional Executive Leadership role. With a Synergist Mindset we can lean into VUCA, transcend intersystemic complexity, trust the flow of emergence despite uncertainty, and treasure diversity to realize inclusion. In this way, we become capable of leading ecosystemic transformative change in complex senior roles and cocreate conscious evolution.
Antoinette has helped me remodel how I write, talk and feel about myself and my skills, enhancing my strategic expression and guiding me through a career transformation!
I found her to be an inspirational, knowledgeable and captivating Executive Coach and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking clarity, new direction and heightened courage!
- Director R&D
I enjoy my coaching with Antoinette because she challenges my normalized way of thinking. It’s emergent, disruptive and even disconcerting - that’s where the magic is.
Antoinette considers things from a deeper dynamic perspective. Her focus on embracing our uniqueness is inspiring and amazingly effective.
- Executive General Manager Transport Systems
Antoinette was exactly what I needed - someone who had the vision and clarity to challenge, encourage and support my planning and preparation for the next step in my career.
It was great to have someone with honesty, integrity as well as exceptional emotional intelligence and useful practical tools to help me on the journey.
- Program Director Transport Sector
What is Vertical Leadership Development?
Vertical Holistic Leadership Development (VHLD) involves progressing in adult psychological maturity following our physical growth from child into adult. As adults, we can amplify our leadership effectiveness by expanding our inner mindset to embrace increasing complexity. VHLD is mapped by a spiral of 6 progressive Perspectives, each one building on the one before.
The critical StageSHIFT for Senior Executives today is from the high performing Achievist Mindset at 3rd Perspective, to the wiser transforming Synergist Mindset at 4th Perspective. This is the shift from 'me' to 'we', from individual to collective, self to system, competition to collaboration, profits to purpose, and from struggling and striving to thriving and flourishing.
On an organizational level we shift from a blend of co-dependent bureaucracy and independent democracy, to combining the latter with an interdependent humanocracy. This StageSHIFT is designed into the architecture of the organization to empower teams and liberate latent talent.
It has been a true privilege to have Antoinette as my guide, coach and teacher along this journey. She is one of the most extraordinary human beings I have met. An inspiring person with a remarkably sharp intellect, lots of love, tons of professional experience combined with an even more remarkable wisdom and consciousness.
I guess that's how words become poetic, and experiences become magical. I am honoured to be part of her community.
- Thomas Bjerkhede, Transformative StageSHIFT Leadership Coach & Consultant
Antoinette is one of only three Thought Leaders I know who credibly and passionately integrates business and spirituality. It’s rare, it’s profound, and it’s much needed in the world today.
Her brilliant intellect, fearless consulting, coaching and OD skills, have generated a great suite of offerings for coaches, OD consultants, and the senior-most leaders in organizations, who want to be a part of creating a healthy future with regenerative business practices.
- Emma Pearson, Transformative StageSHIFT Leadership Coach & Consultant
Antoinette has a unique style and approach, and I'd emphasize her discernment and the ability to beautifully conceptualize complex ideas and get to the very core of things.
I am fascinated with the methodology that she created and her constantly inquiring mind and lightness. Another unique thing is the community of late stage coaches and the depth of conversation that I rarely experience elsewhere.
- Ekaterina Surkova, Transformative StageSHIFT Leadership Coach & Consultant
Why choose a StageSHIFT Program?
StageSHIFT Programs generate and accelerate an evolutionary vertical shift for Senior Executives and their part of the organization. Their expanded leadership presence has a significant ripple effect on their corporate culture and beyond the organization's boundaries in the business ecosystem.
StageSHIFT integrates Strategic Systemic Scaffolding to eliminate organizational constraints and create traction for vertical growth.
StageSHIFT integrates Holistic Human-centric Leadership to lean into the flow of conscious evolution and dive deep to heal inner shadow.
StageSHIFT integrates powerful 3rd generation Transformative Coaching where the expansive Self of the Coach is a vital instrument.
We offer Leadership Programs designed to yield rapid organic evolution. They offer conceptual knowledge drawn from the fields of leadership, change, psychology, neuroscience, wisdom, and business, as well as proven knowhow: a set of pragmatic frameworks and techniques that generate an inner mindset shift, the development of new skills and capabilities, and an outer shift in business culture.
When I first met Antoinette, I was fatigued, stressed at work and not enjoying life. In the very first meeting, the underlying issues were exposed. She shed light on my life and revealed things that I simply had not seen or understood. Her positive, forward-looking approach made me feel optimistic.
Antoinette helped me work through changes in my organizational structure to enable me to focus on the higher strategic issues I enjoy. And most importantly, she addressed my whole-of-life progression, not just my work-life.
- CIO Emergency Services & Transport Sector
I took up coaching with Antoinette to become more strategic and confident. Her fast-paced approach mixing theory and practical advice was extremely helpful. She is a challenging and energetic coach who held me to account in the nicest possible way.
I always looked forward to our meetings because I knew that I would learn something new and useful. I now have a framework to approach strategic issues and many tools and techniques to draw on so I can hold my own in a senior executive environment. I would not have thought this possible a few years ago.
- Group Executive Director HSE
I was dealing with a very complex personal and commercial situation which Antoinette was very quick in understanding the holistic picture.
Her commercial experience together with insight into situational dynamics and personality traits greatly assisted me in breaking the complexity down into manageable pieces to find positive forward moving paths.
Most importantly, she gave me the confidence and courage to implement what I considered prior to our sessions an almost insurmountable challenge.
- CEO. Manufacturing Sector
StageSHIFT Development Goes Deep and Wide
StageSHIFT Leadership Development is swift because we dive deep into IDENTITY to facilitate a steep rise in conscious awareness. Healing shadow and reframing story catapults our growth.
Our Transformative Coaching approach accompanies you on your Hero's JOURNEY offering deep insights into recurring patterns and themes so you can express your authentic voice.
By uplifting the SYSTEM, the organizational context within which you lead, we remove the ceiling that inhibits vertical growth in most conventional workplaces. You are freed to really lead.
The StageSHIFT approach doubles Leadership Effectiveness for all Senior Leaders e.g., from the 60th - 80th percentile in 21-months, and doubles People Engagement e.g., from 30% - 60% in just 6 months. The Leadership CULTURE evolves to instil a human-centric business ecosystem.
The StageSHIFT Program is unique in that it takes a holistic approach to transformation. Antoinette is a collaborative intuitive whose depth of knowledge in leadership development is unsurpassed. Very quickly, she has galvanized the organization in a way that is remarkable.
She has clear insight into what drives workplace behaviours and how to make momentous changes in perspective. Her strong strategic focus, business acumen and gracious understanding of people mean you will gain far more than you expect! Did I say there was a whiff of culture change in the air? There is a gale force wind blowing and the organization and people are the ultimate winners!
- Anne Cosgrove, Executive Director People & Culture
Antoinette was an engaging, skilful, challenging and enthusiastic person to work with. She integrated many new initiatives to transform our culture creating momentum from which results soon flowed.
The terrific speed of success was due to her great ability to engage with the leaders and ensure that the adopted strategies were well understood and effectively implemented to drive toward the desired outcomes.
She was a vital source of energy and inspiration in setting our new course and getting us going!
- Pat Richards, CEO Shared Business Services Company
Antoinette instigated a terrific collaboration with us by leading an invigorating 2-day Offsite for our new Executive Team to set our Strategic Direction and Leadership Culture.
She then designed and led a CONFIDENT Leaders Program that enabled the Top 75 leaders become more self-aware and develop the courageous authenticity and team accountability to lift our performance.
Her broad strategic perspective and deep insights into mindfulness, emotional intelligence and personal power stimulated a significant shift in our ability to collaborate with our business partners and build a thriving sustainable agricultural sector.
- Michael Bullen, Dpty Director General, Agriculture NSW
Who are StageSHIFT Programs for?
SENIOR EXECUTIVES who ...
- find themselves bound up in operations and want to be freed to do more impactful strategic work.
- feel they are out of synch with their organization and want to foster their own leadership growth.
- wish to rise above corporate politics by developing a calm and clear, inspiring leadership presence.
SENIOR LEADERS who ...
- are keen to step up into Senior Executive Leadership.
- are leading strategic innovation or cross-boundary initiatives.
- have a spiritual bent and are intent on conscious business.
- wish to quickly realize their latent leadership potential.
EXECUTIVE COACHES who:
- wish to integrate the pragmatic knowhow of Vertical Holistic Systemic Leadership Development into their coaching practice.
- realize they are on the verge of expanding their self-identity as a vital instrument to coaching clients to later stages of development.
- are committed to making a more significant impact with a transformative 3rd generation coaching approach.
Working with Antoinette was an enriching learning experience, and the outcomes were fantastic! She impressed as an expert in leadership and the development of personal power. Her style is thought provoking and challenging, yet informal, adaptable, encouraging and fun!
Whilst I thought some of her ideas were outside the box, Antoinette's guiding questions and insights helped me find my "voice". The fluidity of our conversations sparked off many new ideas and paths to follow. It was a truly fulfilling experienceI
- Executive Director, Global Investment Bank
I had the privilege of Antoinette supporting me recently in my goals to advance my career and was extremely impressed. Her ability to provide constructive feedback was invaluable and insightful from the first meeting.
Our interactions allowed me to reflect on my purpose and consider a more holistic appreciation of the impact of my body and verbal language in the C-suite environment. She really invested in my success and I recommend her to others focused on extending themselves to realize their career aspirations.
- EGM Strategy & Innovation Energy Sector
My time with Antoinette will forever have a positive impact on my approach to leadership. I found her perspectives to be thoughtful and insightful, and her connection with mind, body, spirit revolutionised my thinking and, most importantly, my actions.
Antoinette has a unique ability to recognize, understand, and explain complex leadership issues. Attuning my inner self and harnessing my authenticity to be more innovative and strategic awoke the inner warrior in me as the leader of my organization.
- CEO, Social Services Sector
TAKE INSPIRED TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION TO BE BOLD, KIND, & BRAVE ... TO BECOME MORE.
StageSHIFT ONLINE PROGRAMS
StageSHIFT offers an Introductory 6-week, 12-week, 6-month and 12-month Programs. They are each a blend of vertical assessments, online videos and notes, immersive live group webinars and individual coaching sessions, peer collaborations, assignments and individual feedback to close the gap between ideation and integration.
FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVES & COACHES
24-WEEK ONLINE PROGRAMS
Track the Triggers, Traces, and Trails of Shadow to Heal the Self
Our emotions and words offer us an amazing signalling system to discover our inner shadow. StageSHIFT offers a proven approach to cultivate the inner self at the heart of our identity. By resolving and healing our egoic shadows, we can integrate our holistic self. Move from struggling and striving to thriving and flourishing. (12-weeks/6-months)
Build Systemic Strategic Scaffolding to Move into Flow
Most conventional organizations inhibit organic leadership growth with processes and policies that limit aspirational intent and hinder strategic alignment, team accountability, and people engagement. StageSHIFT shows you how to set strategic direction, lead change, and master time and energy at 4th Perspective. (12-weeks/6-months)
Transforming Story to Lean into VUCA and Cocreate the Future
VUCA is the Volatile Uncertain Complex Ambiguous systemic context that we live in today. The only way out is through by uplifting our level of conscious awareness and leaning into the evolutionary forces that are generating the relentless fast pace of change today. (12-weeks/6-months)
Spanning Boundaries to Produce Synergy in Business Ecosystem
In our intricately interconnected world, we need to discover innovative collaborative solutions including all diverse stakeholders and the planet in our business ecosystem. This takes place in the flow of conscious emergence as we reconcile our needs and realize shared aspirations. (12-weeks/6-months)
18-MONTH ONLINE PROGRAMS
Become a more Visionary Inspiring Purposeful - VIP - Executive Leader
This 12-month Program combines the above four 12-week Programs.Our proven 8-Step sequence takes you on an evolutionary journey integrating your holistic self and systemic context. You'll accelerate the development of a Synergist Mindset and the leadership capacity to transform your business model and generate culture change. The Introduction to Vertical Holistic Leadership Development is a prerequisite that you can register for simultaneously. The My World View AI Sentence Completion objective Vertical Assessment is also part of the Program.
Transformative Coaching Certification in Vertical Development
This 12-month Program combines the above four 12-week Programs. It takes you on an evolutionary journey with our proven 8-step sequence that accelerates your vertical development integrating your holistic self and systemic context. You'll learn to generate organizational culture change and renewf your business model with an expanded leadership presence. The Introduction to Vertical Holistic Leadership Development is a prerequisite that you can register for simultaneously. The My World View AI Sentence Completion Assessment is part of the Program.
VERTICAL ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Discover Vertical Holistic Leadership Development (VHLD)
This is a short introductory program for you to discover the foundations and latest findings in the Psychology, Structure, and Nature of VHLD. Undertake the VHLD Assessment to receive a 40p Report and a 1:1 Discovery Debrief to map out your own unique 12-month Evolutionary Journey. (4-weeks)
VHLD Profile Certification for Executive Leadership Coaches
Become certified in our capability-based Assessment incorporating 6 levels from Specialist to Alchemist, 5 leads, 4 lines and 3 limits in VHLD. It supplements the Sentence Completion Assessment by focusing on leadership capabilities demonstrated in the workplace. (12-months/ongoing)
Global Vertical Management Assessment & Leadership Development
Start the ball rolling with a set of Vertical Assessments for you and your Executive Team, and/or the top 10% of Leaders in your organization. Keep things simple with the AI-based My World View Sentence Completion Exercise for an objective assessment and the capability-based Vertical Holistic Leadership Profile to uplift self-awareness and identity each executive's top 7 Strengths, Stressors, Blind Spots, and Stretches across the 6 Stages of Leadership Development from Specialist to Alchemist. No need for time-consuming 360s. As a global community of StageSHIFT Coaches with a Synergist+ Mindset, we can run a Global Management Assessment & Leadership Development Program for you.
ADVANCED PROGRAMS
Explore Systemic Shadow Team Dynamics to Uplift Culture
The team is the core unit in organizations and the crucible for our individual and collective growth. It's critical to explore systemic shadow team dynamics to build outer cohesion and inner coherence. StageSHIFT invites you to delve deep into the underlying team dynamics. (12-months/ongoing)
Design Evolution by way of IMPACT to Transform Culture
We evolve within our systemic context. By identifying the factors that accelerate and inhibit evolution in the organization's Identity, Meetings, People, Accountability, Culture, and Transformation, we can more effectively develop a conscious human-centric business. (12-months/ongoing)
StageSHIFT DEEPER Coaching Supervision & Integration
Following the Transformative Coaching Certification in Vertical Development, you can continue your journey with DEEPER Coaching Supervision. We explore Vertical Coaching Dynamics, Efficacy, Ethics, Partnerships, Evolution, & Renewal. (12-months)
The Soul Voyage Companion Program into 5th Perspective
As we lean into the MetAware Tier of the Soul, we learn to construct our reality from a Consciousness Perspective. We dive into the murky depths of ancestral and cultural shadow, to find the light within to illuminate our way in the dark. (12-months)
I feel and believe strongly that this is “the real deal” in executive leadership development. As a humble attempt, I would say that it is unrivalled in its blend of science and applied wisdom, and in the inner more conscious self that evolves in embodied leadership presence, leading directly into culture change.
- Paul Smith, Transformative Executive Coach Ireland
Through her collaborative, uplifting and deeply thought provoking approach, Antoinette challenged me to enquire deeply into my own development, and articulate concepts and ideas that were just beyond my reach. It lifted my consciousness to another level. If you aspire to transformative change, Antoinette's work is brilliant - and the world needs more of it!
- Heather Monro, Transformative Executive Coach England
I will be forever grateful to Antoinette for enabling me to fully grasp the vastness, importance and grandness of vertical development, yet making it easy to start infusing and transforming my own work with clients. Catch her program if you can - it might be the most uplifting decision in your life.
- Jessica Lowenhielm, Transformative Executive Coach Sweden
OUR MASTER COACH & FACILITATOR!
Dr Antoinette J Braks
Founder of StageSHIFT
Dr Antoinette Braks is an Award-winning Master Executive Coach (EMCC), Consultant, and Thought Leader in Vertical Leadership Development. She holds a PhD in Leadership Coaching Psychology, an MBA from London Business School, and the Advanced Diploma in Coaching Supervision from Oxford Brookes University.
Dr Braks is the author of Executive Coaching in Strategic Holistic Leadership (McGraw Hill 2020). Her research findings have also been published in the Integral Review and the International Journal of Evidence-based Coaching and Mentoring.
She has more than 8,000 hours’ experience coaching hundreds of Senior Executives, designing and facilitating Strategic and Shadow Team Workshops and Leadership Programs for Senior Leaders, and leading Certification Programs for Executive Coaches. She has also undertaken over 500 Management Assessments of Executive Leaders.
Clients include organizations from across the business services, energy, engineering, financial, legal, and telecom sectors e.g., Brookfields, Businesslink, HSBC, KL Telecoms, RPS, Shell, Siemens, Toyota, United KG, and Westpac. The StageSHIFT approach has proven to be equally effective across the spectrum of the NSW public sector: Aboriginal Affairs, Agriculture, Education, Environment, Community Services, Fire & Rescue, Health, Justice, Police, Premier & Cabinet, Science, & Transport.
In her corporate career, she co-founded HUDSON's Coaching Division, led Leadership Solutions for KORN FERRY Asia Pacific, Strategic HR Policy for SHELL Latin America and Africa, and People & Culture for innovative energy infrastructure company VECTOR.
On a personal note, Antoinette is a perpetual student, global traveler, parent of three and grandparent! She loves living beside the ocean and spending her time working, reading, writing, and walking. Antoinette is purposefully committed to generating executive, enterprise, and socioeconomic evolution with the StageSHIFT coaching community.
ARRANGE A STRATEGY MEETING WITH DR ANTOINETTE BRAKS
Wow! Antoinette is not only one of the more knowledgeable people I have come across in this field, but she's also one of the most practical in sharing that knowledge with executives and delivering the most relevant business benefits in a meaningful and holistic way.
Her attention to the shadow side of coaching makes a huge difference.
I cannot recommend this program highly enough to leaders who know and feel they can develop themselves and their organizations to take the lead in the volatile, chaotic and uncertain world we have today and deliver long term sustainable results.
- Ian Sellick, Transformative StageSHIFT Executive Coach
Embarking on the 8-Step transformative StageSHIFT journey with Antoinette has been nothing short of phenomenal! Her mastery in coaching shines through as she seamlessly blends deep wisdom, compassion, and unwavering support.
Weaving this with her extensive organizational knowledge and tried-and-tested suite of personal leadership development tools, the impact is immense.
Her ability to delve into shadows at individual and organizational levels, sculpting a unique path for each person has been a game-changer for personal, professional leadership growth.
- Karen Dobben, CEO & StageSHIFT Executive Coach
The models that Antoinette has developed are filled with wisdom and depth. The Stage Shift programs are rich in content that integrates multiple theories of the latest and most recent knowledge in adult development.
It is beautifully crafted into a well thought through curriculum, which stretches your thinking and challenges you to do the inner work that requires deep introspection. It is a must for any leader who wants more from their job, who wants a more purposeful life.
This program was unlike any other I've experienced. It awakened my understanding on another level of consciousness.
- Sandra Aveleira Viljoen, StageSHIFT Leadership Coach
VERTICAL SYSTEMIC HOLISTIC LEADERSHIP UPDATES
Read the first 2 Chapters for FREE.
Enjoy the first two chapters of Executive Coaching in Strategic Holistic Leadership to find out more about the History and Stages of Vertical Development. We'll also email you our new insights and updates as they unfold.
Your contact details are private and confidential, and will not be shared with others.
Antoinette Braks' brilliant work, supported by her research, has focused on a pivotal arc in the developmental spectrum - the capacity of our leaders and coaches to take a mature, 4th Perspective.
She has accessed the most salient aspects of different developmental models to create an effective, practical and grounded approach for guiding those who are ready, opening their eyes to the next generation of coaching and leading.
This is much needed in a world that is hungry for new eyes that will see what is not yet seen, and heal hidden dilemmas that have not yet been identified.
- Terri O'Fallon, STAGES Global Thought Leader
In these trying times of an unprecedented global health crisis, the smooth day-to-day running of civic affairs is disrupted. Thus, it is more urgent than ever before that mature leaders are at the helm of societies and corporations.
As the speed and reach of global change and challenge in all areas of life is increasing, it becomes vital that more people develop the ability to take multiple perspectives, think systemically, consider the long-term effects of decisions and base them on the best available scientific evidence.
This book offers a path to help leaders acquire these later stage characteristics.
- Susanne Cook-Greuter, STAGES Pioneer
If executive coaching supports the transformation from Achievist to Synergist, it will become much more than the support towards achieving the next goal on the career ladder. It will instead become a transformational dialogue: a holistic path that can humanize our world.
- Reinhard Stelter, Psychology Prof. Copenhagen University. Author 3rd Gen Coaching
This is a much-needed research-based book that shares crucial tools and techniques for coaches that are proven to move clients through the levels of developmental maturity.