I enrolled in an MBA at the UCT Graduate School of Business (2008/09) where I graduated cum laude, was a Gold Medal winner and topped the class in Strategy. During this time I lived in the Middle East and broadened my horizons through extensive international travels. I presented my MBA thesis on Creativity and Complexity at the International Creative Ability Conference in London in 2010.
I opened my MBA thesis with the following quote: “What are the possible answers to the demands of Life’s moments? We may understand and yet be silent. We may understand and actively turn aside completely; or turn to a known accustomed and acceptable ‘unoriginal’ answer. We may understand and respond with the substance of our being into the situation; i.e. infuse ourselves into the lived life. This is creativity.”
– Vona du Toit, OT and founder of Creative Ability Theory (a.k.a. Theory of Motivation in Action).
The thesis culminated in a conceptual practice model using systems thinking tools, highlighting critical variables, the relationships between these variables, and key leverage points for growth. It is highly relevant to my work as a coach.
From a fellow MBA student: “Adri was the very first student I met on campus and I was lucky enough to be in the same seminar group as her during our first year. Adri scored 90-90-90 in three group assignments in a row she was responsible to complete and edit for the group.
Adri has that supreme ability of making sense out of chaos, putting things together, making things happen. Her calm and stress-free attitude in extreme situations and her multitasking abilities are impressive. There is always an opportunity for Adri to network and socialize, to teach and to learn, to laugh and to cry with people around. She was definitely an inspiration for me and for so many more of us. She is friendly, accessible, and passionate about life and people.
I would say that Adri is definitely a people’s person.” – Hugues Rivet
Thereafter I worked at the Africa branch of an international management consulting firm where I held positions as Industry Analyst, Team Leader, Project Manager and eventually Head of the Public Sector team. During my time in consulting I engaged at middle and senior executive level, presented research, and facilitated workshops for key stakeholders. Clients include the Sasol Innovation team, Dow, the Department of Economic Development and the Western Cape government. My work took me to interesting places such as Nigeria and Ghana.
I spoke at the Frost & Sullivan Global Innovation Leadership (GIL) Council where I was privileged enough to listen to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, someone I admire greatly. Facilitation roles included a systems thinking workshop for key stakeholders in the Saldanha Bay IDZ development and serving as one of the facilitators at the Africa Oil and Gas Conference at Arabella.
From a colleague at Frost & Sullivan: “Adri and I worked together on numerous occasions. One project in particular was challenging on many levels. Throughout the project and its ups and downs, Adri was committed, diligent and always someone that I could rely on 100%. She showed an exceptional tenacity and ability towards solving the problems that the team faced. I would work again with Adri in a heartbeat and recommend her for any role she may be considering!”
– Heinz Essmann: Country manager, Unifi Africa
This was also a time in my life when I ran on caffeine and adrenaline, and really struggled with life-work balance. Gosh was I task orientated. I felt I was way too busy tor things like coaching and self-care, and eventually had to learn the lesson the hard way through burnout. It feels like a lifetime ago but I can relate to so many of my clients through this experience.