The Vertical Climb
A podcast on conscious leadership
“Leadership is not simply about what we do. It is about who we become.”
Season One · Leaders on the ClimbSeason Two · The Evolution of HR
Latest episode
Season One · Part II · Episode 1.4
Leading Beyond Our Blind Spots
One question in a car started a 20-year journey. Air Mauritius CEO Andre Viljoen gets honest about the blind spots that shaped his leadership, and what changed when he finally saw them.
- Andre ViljoenCEO, Air Mauritius
Episode notes and chapters Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Apple Podcasts
About the podcast
A podcast about the inner journey of leadership, and the lifelong work of becoming the leader we are capable of being.
The Vertical Climb explores the inner dimensions of leadership through honest, thought-provoking conversations with CEOs, business leaders, HR professionals, organisational development practitioners, coaches and thought leaders.
Rather than focusing on leadership techniques or business success alone, we explore the experiences, challenges, beliefs and moments that have shaped the people behind the titles.
“As leaders develop greater awareness of themselves, others and the systems they are part of, they create a more positive impact on the world.”
Your host
Sandra Viljoen
Founder and Managing Director, New Beginnings Coaching
Sandra has devoted her working life to leaders who want to evolve. Since founding New Beginnings in South Africa, she has worked with CEOs, HR leaders and executives in South Africa, Mauritius and Fiji, and today leads a network of more than 20 coaches.
Before coaching, she spent 13 years in the airline industry, including as a Regional General Manager at South African Airways, and led HR and training at Cullinan Holdings. In 2016 she created the Systemic Development Framework, designed to evolve organisations through the vertical growth of their leaders.
- Meta-Coach and Neuro-Semantic Trainer
- EMCC-accredited Systemic Team Coach
- Certified Enneagram Facilitator
Episodes
Leadership conversations for a more conscious and systemic world
Season One · Conscious and Systemic Leadership
Season One explores conscious and systemic leadership through the lived experiences of CEOs and leaders, revealing the many dimensions of leadership required to build healthier organisations.
Part I · Understanding the Climb
Introducing the core ideas and awareness frameworks that underpin the series.
- 1.1 Introduction: What is The Vertical Climb? Sandra Viljoen Managing Director, New Beginnings Coaching Margot Vannelet Podcast Host, New Beginnings Catalyst Watch
- 1.2 The 7 Portals of Personal Growth Sandra Viljoen Managing Director, New Beginnings Coaching Margot Vannelet Podcast Host, New Beginnings Catalyst Watch
- 1.3 Enneagram & Shadow Work Waiman Ip Min Wan New Beginnings Personal Inquiry Specialist Watch
Part II · Leaders on the Climb
Exploring different dimensions of leadership through the lived experiences of CEOs and leaders.
- 1.4 Leading Beyond Our Blind Spots Andre Viljoen CEO, Air Mauritius Watch
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1.5 Tough vs Nice Leadership Anthony Leung Shing Country Partner Leader, PwC Mauritius Coming soon
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1.6 Leading from the Inside Out Heba Capdevila Group CEO, Medine Coming soon
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1.7 Leading the System Oscar Mamet CEO, Aptis Group Coming soon
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1.8 Leadership Through Conversations Derick Steinhobel Director, Arup Mauritius Coming soon
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1.9 Leadership as Stewardship Gilbert Espitalier-Noël Group CEO and Executive Director, ER Group Coming soon
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1.10 Leadership Succession: Passing the Baton Francois Eynaud Strategic Advisor, SUNLIFE (former CEO, SUNLIFE) Coming soon
Season Two · The Evolution of HR
Season Two broadens the conversation to include HR, People & Culture, and Organisational Development leaders, exploring their evolving role as strategic partners in shaping leadership, culture, and organisational transformation.
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2.1 The Shift from HR to OD Regine de Ravel Group People and Culture Executive, Aptis Group Coming soon
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2.2 The HR Evolution Melanie Robert HR Governance Consultant (former HR Director, Bank of New York) Coming soon
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2.3 Who is Responsible for Culture Change? Anne Taukoordass Consultant, Lumena Consulting Coming soon
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2.4 Finding Neuro-Semantics Dr Michael Hall Founder of Neuro-Semantics Coming soon
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2.5 The Systems We Live In Annette Treebhoobun Independent Consultant (former Executive Director, PILS) Coming soon
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2.6 The Leadership Challenge Dev Sewgobind Group Head of Human Resources & Sustainability, CIEL Group Coming soon
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2.7 Building Human-Centred Organisations Manish Bundhun Chief People Executive, ER Group Coming soon
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2.8 Shifting from Engagement to Experience Jennifer Webb de Comarmond Director, Engaged Solutions Coming soon
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2.9 Culture Transformation Doriane Denise Chief People and Culture Officer, Medine Coming soon
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2.10 Still emerging Coming soon
Who it’s for
For anyone passionate about conscious leadership and human development.
- CEOs and executives
- HR and People & Culture leaders
- Organisational development practitioners
- Coaches and consultants
A companion on the journey
Meet Shadow.
Our mascot.
Listening in the background.
Challenging what’s left unsaid.
One purpose
“How do we build healthier organisations through better leadership?”
The Vertical Climb is produced by New Beginnings: systemic leadership development and executive coaching for leaders and teams.