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About David

As a lifelong learner, David is passionate about connecting with others and supporting their development journey.

David is an experienced leadership coach who speaks the language of business. His transformational coaching helps leaders and managers thrive in a complex and uncertain world by understanding and growing their most important leadership asset: themselves. He balances challenge and support by listening deeply and questioning with humility. His way of being both reminds the group of their larger purpose and invites individuals to meet him in the exploration in a way that is real, authentic and vulnerable.

Climate Change

David is also passionate about climate change. Our world is in crisis and yet real action to effect real change is slow.  However compelling the science behind climate change, human behaviour needs to change if we are to have a future on this planet.  Climate leadership needs to be for everyone.  

As an executive leadership coach David can help individuals, both in business and politics, to take action that counts.

Career

Having originally started out his career with KPMG, David has been involved with program/project management at a senior level for a variety of organisations across a range of sectors (both in NZ and overseas) including infrastructure capital projects, telecommunications; railway construction, civil construction, heavy engineering, manufacturing, business development, broadcasting, and not-for-profit service delivery. Having lived and worked in the UK, Spain, Brazil, Chile, and Australia gives him first hand understanding of the intricacies of working with different cultures. David has worked globally with KPMG, London Underground, Balfour Beatty and Downer.

Recent coaching clients include: IAG, Canterbury District Health Board, Pegasus Health, Lyttelton Port Company, Airways, Cavell Leitch, Thrifty, Lumino, Kathmandu, QUT & Global Women.

Coaching clients include: IFMA, IAG, Bank of New Zealand, PWC, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, ACC, Ministry of Education, Department of Conservation, NZ Police, LINZ, Manaaki Whenua | Landcare Research, Lumley Insurance, Milford Asset Management, 2Degrees, Spark, Kathmandu, Countdown, Airways New Zealand, Aurecon Group, Jacobs, Pacific Basin Shipping, Thrifty Car Rental, Lumino, Les Mills, Navico Group, Canterbury District Health Board, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Victoria Department of Health & Human Services, Pegasus Health, Paralympics New Zealand, Queensland University of Technology, Christchurch City Council, Whanganui District Council, Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch City Mission, Workplace Support, Environment Canterbury, Waimakariri District Council, ARA Institute of Technology, Global Women, Lyttelton Port Company, New Zealand Broadcasting School, Cavell Leitch.

Specialising in evidence-based, solution-focused practice, he draws on a variety of coaching theories and models to apply scientific rigour to what makes people thrive and excel. Cognitive behavioural coaching, adult development theory, complex adaptive leadership and self determination theory are the main theories underpinning David’s coaching. 

David believes an effective coach balances challenge and support to enable people to learn to think, engage and act differently. His coaching style emphasises process with the aim of creating tangible outcomes; of facilitating improvement in an individual’s performance in areas of leadership, communications, interpersonal, and cognitive skills that when to linked to business goals also make a positive strategic impact on an organisation’s performance.

David is certified in the use of The Leadership Circle 360 Profile, is an accredited Strengths Profile practitioner, trained ACT behavioural change coach, and is a Growth Edge Coaching and Leadership Maturity Framework practitioner.. He is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and was on the board of the ICF Australasia Chapter from 2013 to 2017, serving as Chapter President in 2016-17.

David supported me to clarify and integrate my personal values and to also identify and examine limiting beliefs and habits of thought. He customised content and questions, through a timely book, shared article or our direct conversation where David astutely enquired into many things I would have not have stopped to explore myself. Through reviewing some of the latest evidence-based research into leadership development, I refined my future direction and motivation as a leader. This increased personal clarity and vision, supported by regular coaching sessions, has significantly accelerated my professional and personal development this year. It has enabled me to take a new leadership role with more confidence and deliver at a higher level for the team and the wider business. The benefit outside of work has been even more pronounced. Having a knowledgeable and motivated guide, in who’s training and professional experience I can respect, has changed the pace at which I learn and realise the benefits in all parts of life.
Tom Hunt - Invest in better thinking
Tom Hunt - Invest in better thinkingProduct Marketing & Management - Innovation - Spark New Zealand
My recently completed coaching sessions with David have been a really enjoyable and challenging experience for me. David took the time to get to know me as a person as well as a professional in my role and this ensured we covered a wide range of topics during our times together. Setting my objectives up front ensured we maintained focus. Most of all, I have found this to be a real confidence booster thanks to David's approach and our detailed discussions.
Tim Morris - Professional and Personal Growth
Tim Morris - Professional and Personal GrowthHead of Aviation Operations - Christchurch Airport
David brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table both practical and academic. He is uniquely skilled at asking the key question at precisely the right time. This Socratic process (again backed by experience and academic knowledge) really opened some mental doors that helped me understand my own strengths/weaknesses/aspirations and how they influence my relationships. The unique combination of expertise, caring and kindness made for a really special growth experience for me, the fruits of which have been noted by others.
Dr Murray CotterMedical Executive Committee Chair, ADCS, USA
David, I have found our time together really valuable. I feel very strongly that this has been a good return on investment for the organisation. I really like your style. You are really personable, with a lovely approach. I felt very comfortable with you. You’ve provided me with the opportunity to think through some big challenges and come up with solutions, as well as to make significant progress on my career aspirations.
CEO, Health Sector
CEO, Health Sector
During 2018 I've been fortunate to work with David as part of a comprehensive senior leadership development program at Enable Networks. David was engaged to deliver 1:1 coaching on my individual development plan which had its foundations in 360 feedback and via a 6-month Emotional Intelligence program. I've found David to be extremely adept at helping me to ascertain the drivers for behaviours (self and others) and is a walking library of ideas, anecdotes, books and other resources to use to help reinforce development concepts.
Greg Rossiter
The greatest benefit is my coach helping me recognize my own authenticity in my leadership and articulating my leadership intent in a way that can be adapted to different leadership settings to include whom I am talking too and where (local, global) I am speaking. Coaching has assisted me in being far more intentional about my engagement both at a strategic and management perspective. I have recognized my strengths to continually showcase and further develop and I have also recognized areas that require improvement. Coaching has allowed me to ask effective questions within a boardroom setting. I have really appreciated David and his way of coaching. His honesty and direct constructive coaching allowed me to be ‘real’ with myself and ‘stop beating about the bush’.
RachelIndependent Director
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david@davidbennettcoach.com
+64 21 078 4458 

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