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More about Alex van Oostveen

My leadership journey started in 1996 at age 18, in my training to be an officer in the South African Air Force. I learned about leadership in various contexts as my career evolved. 

My Leadership Experience

  • In initial pilot training, as a formation flight leader
  • In helicopter training, working in a multi-crew environment next to a leader, and as a leader
  • In operational helicopter flying, as leader of a crew working with other crews and agencies
  • Leadership as flying instructor
  • Leadership as a Flight Commander in initial flight training
  • Leadership as Flight Commander of flight instruction on how to give flying instruction (train the trainer)
  • I am especially privileged to have been the leader of the Silver Falcons formation aerobatic team for a 2-year period, after having served as the Nr. 3 wingman, for 2 years prior. As leader I was responsible for 5 aircrew, ground maintenance and support crew, engaging with other teams and agencies to promote aviation and Air Force careers

In my 20-year career in military operational flying and advanced flight instruction I learned the unique challenges facing leaders, and the value of effective communication and potent relationships within complex, high-risk, and dynamic environments. Much of this I learned through trial and error. I have made many mistakes, and I have learned from them. My learning continues!

 

In my personal life, my passions are personal development, cooking, riding motorcycles, spirituality, yoga, and music. I live in the countryside in a village in the Cape Winelands.

I am an EMCC Global coach supervisor (ESIA) and Accredited Coach (EIA) at Senior Practitioner level, and hold a PCC credential with ICF. I hold a Diploma in Coaching and a Diploma in Coach Supervision. My passion is creating personal transformation through conversation.

I work using a number of methodologies including transactional analysis, Gestalt, and Appreciative Inquiry. I work in a relational way, integrating expertise from various developmental frameworks into our work, to share in a humanistic and meaningful experience with you.

My deep passion for coach supervision comes from my personal experience of its transformational impact, as well as my aviation background in development, training and reflection on practice.

My experience in Coaching, Mentoring and Supervision

In the coaching and supervision domain, I serve in the following voluntary roles,

  • Founder and programme manager for Social Impact Supervision
  • International Transactional Analysis Association ethics committee member 


My past roles in voluntary capacities,

  • vice chairperson of the South African Transactional Analysis Association (SATAA)
  • SATAA Board Secretary
  • COMENSA Supervision Portfolio Committee vice chairperson
  • COMENSA Membership Criteria and Standards of Competence Committee vice chairperson
  • COMENSA Western Cape Vice Chair
  • COMENSA Western Cape Secretary
  • board member in the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA), also serving as Regional Representative for Africa and the Middle East,
  • co-chair of the ITAA Ethics Committee
  • voluntary coach supervisor to coaches in various global initiatives, working with coaches around the world in groups and individually to provide supervision and support


Coach Supervision

I enjoy helping coaches develop in their practice, working with a diverse array of coaches globally in corporate and private contexts.

As coach supervisor I draw on a number of approaches to help my clients express and understand their experiences of themselves in relation to their clients, and their practice, with greater insight and meaning. Using the combined power of relationship and process, I help practitioners transcend their personal challenges, equipped with clearer thinking and renewed options for action.

My working philosophy and style is informed by the psychological theory of transactional analysis (TA). I work in the here-and-now to explore relationship, thinking, feeling, and behaviour.

Coaching

As coach, I love supporting my clients in taking the lead in their own journeys to effective relationships and communication skills, with clear thinking and accountable action.

I have extensive and diverse experience coaching individuals and groups in CEO, director, executive, general manager and non-executive levels in governmental, private and non-profit sectors.

I live with a positive-psychology approach, assuming the inherent potential and value of the people I work with.

Some challenges I have undertaken in my own life

  • Overcoming a lack of confidence as an aviator. I had held myself back from being the skilled pilot I became, until I had overcome my internal limitations. These I had taken on as a result of school bullying and not fitting the typical military pilot personality. It took me a longer time to be clear on what I was and was not comfortable being.
  • In my adult life I have dedicated my free time to spiritual exploration and personal development. From meditation, reading spiritual material, engaging with spiritual teachers, to therapy for personal development, I immerse myself in a variety of experiences in a journey of becoming more whole, connected to self and the universe. I have grown in my cognitive, non-rational, spiritual and professional abilities.
  • I was thrilled and terrified by the idea of riding a motorcycle, so I set out on a cross country trip on a Yamaha TDM 850 twin-cylinder motorcycle. The bike broke down on the first day in the middle of nowhere! But, gaining confidence over time, I have managed to compete in the advanced/fast group category of riders on the racetrack on a BMW S1000RR superbike. I am now exploring adventure bike riding on a Triumph Tiger 900 RP with my wife.
  • Leaving the military to start my own business. I jumped in the deep end, learning the ropes on the job. I now have an established coaching and supervision business.