I am Gerrit Pelzer, Executive Coach, Coach Supervisor, and part-time Adjunct Professor of Leadership.

Leadership Coaching Grounded in Real Experience

Before becoming a coach, I spent twelve years in senior leadership roles in the corporate world, both in Europe and Asia. I know from experience that leadership can be rewarding, but also incredibly challenging. I learned early in my career that it’s people—not strategy or processes—that drive an organisation’s success—or failure. I also experienced firsthand the direct impact leaders have on employee engagement: I had bosses who valued me, inspired me, and brought out the best in me. Others had the talent of completely demotivating me and others.

My mission as an executive coach is to help make the lives of leaders better, impacting the people around them in positive ways, and getting better results for their businesses. In other words: I help leaders create the conditions in which people can be their best.

Since 2010, I have supported leaders from more than 30 countries in growing into the leaders they aspire to be. I speak their language, understand their challenges, and help them find practical ways to become more effective—without burning out.

Among my corporate clients are multi-national organisations such as Allergan, Allianz, Bayer, Bosch, B. Grimm, Bridgestone, Covestro, Engie, The Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, Indorama, Katoen Natie, L’Oréal, Linde, Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, Merck, Michelin, Minor Hotels, Nestlé, Oxylane, Pandora, PTT Exploration & Production, PUR Projet, Reckitt Benckiser, Roche, Sanofi, Swarovski, Tesco Lotus, The World Bank, Titleist and many more.

Executive Coaching Inspired by Western Science and Asian Wisdom

With a background in the natural sciences, I also take a scientific approach to coaching: human behaviour is complex and driven by the brain and its neurobiology. So, an understanding of how the human brain and mind work can facilitate the desired behavioral changes we want to achieve in coaching.

Inspired by the work of Dr. Paul Brown, Dr. Rick Hanson, Dr. Daniel Siegel, and others, I draw on the latest insights from applied neuroscience to help leaders break unproductive patterns and habits and replace them with more effective behaviours.

Having lived in Asia for 20 years, however, I have also come to appreciate the value of ancient wisdom traditions, particularly the Buddhist teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The combination of Western Science and Asian Wisdom led me to a unique and holistic approach to executive coaching.

Adjunct Professor of Leadership

Besides individual executive coaching, I teach leadership in the Executive MBA Program at the Institute for Management in Salzburg.

Such a program naturally encompasses teaching leadership models and theory. However, my key message here is: who you are is how you lead. The best leaders are clear about who they are, what they really want, and how to utilize their uniqueness to become authentic and effective leaders.

I hope that my contribution in both coaching and teaching enables future leaders to leverage their potential, thus making this world a better place, one small step at a time.

Coach Supervisor

Coaching supervision has played a critical role in my own development as a coach. It’s where I could reflect, be challenged, and refine my practice. Consequently, I became a coach supervisor myself (Oxford Brookes University) to help other coaches grow, enjoy their work more, and be more successful.

If you are a professional coach and curious about supervision, you can learn more here.

Podcast Host

Together with my long-time friend and business partner, Martin Aldergård, we run Second Crack – The Leadership Podcast. In our monthly episodes, we explore everyday leadership dilemmas and paradoxes. Rather than providing oversimplified how-to advice, we ask you thought-provoking questions which invite self-reflection and help you grow as a leader. You can listen, for instance, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, here directly here on this website.

Coaching Credentials

• Professional Certified Coach (ICF)
• Certified Professional Coach (ICA)
• Certified in various 360 Degree Feedback tools (e.g., LVI, KF360, Hogan 360)
• Certified in Hogan Assessments
• Accredited MBTI® Administrator
• Professional Certificate of Advanced Study in Coaching Supervision (Oxford Brookes)
• Doctoral Degree in Natural Sciences and Master’s Degree in Chemistry (RWTH Aachen University)
• Former Vice President & Founding Member of the ICF Bangkok Chapter
• Founding Partner of the ION Partnership (Internatinol Organisational Neuroscience)

Personal Life

I grew up in Germany and was based in Bangkok, Thailand, for 20 years before returning to my home country in 2024. I see myself as a global citizen and now divide my time between Europe and Asia.

I am happily married and do my best to pursue a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and sufficient rest. Through my long time in Asia, I also came to appreciate Buddhist teachings, and I am a Practitioner in the Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Han.

I love reading and have the bad habit of buying more books than I can read. I also love to travel when I can.

If you would like to get to know me and explore if executive coaching or coaching supervision is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact me for a complimentary consultation without any obligations.