Leadership Coaching · First-Time Managers

Enlarge your
territory.

"Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory."

— 1 Chronicles 4:10 · The Prayer of Jabez

60% of new managers fail within 24 months. Not from lack of talent — from lack of preparation. Grondgebied gives first-time managers the head start that changes everything.

Claim your ground See the research
60%
of new managers fail
within 24 months
4
root causes identified
by Harvard research
1
coaching practice built
to address all four
Jacqueline Kumm — Leadership Coach
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline Kumm
MPhil Leadership Coaching
University of Stellenbosch Business School · Founder, Grondgebied

Grondgebied — Afrikaans for territory — draws its name from the bold prayer of Jabez: a specific, faith-filled ask for more ground to steward. That same intentionality shapes every coaching engagement.

With an MPhil in Leadership Coaching from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, Jacqueline focuses on the most leveraged moment in any career — the first time you lead people.

She works across all sectors, because the gap between being promoted and being prepared is universal — and bridgeable, when you do the work early enough.

The Harvard Problem

Why most managers
stumble early.

Harvard research identified four reasons new managers fail. None are about technical skill. All are about being human in a position of influence — and all four are addressable before they become costly.

01

Lack of self-awareness

Without knowing your blind spots, you can't lead beyond them. Every engagement begins with the inside work — because who you are within determines who you become in front of others.

02

Empathy as a one-way street

Understanding your people isn't enough — it must flow both ways. We build the emotional intelligence to lead with genuine presence, not performance.

03

Unproductive relationships

The manager-employee relationship is the most powerful lever in any team. We build it with intention — on trust, clarity, and mutual accountability.

04

Misaligned work and goals

When people can't see how their work connects to what matters, they disengage. Great managers make meaning visible — and that is a learnable skill.

The process

From appointed
to anointed.

I
Discover

Map your strengths, your gaps, and the territory you've been called to lead.

II
Clarify

Name what matters. Define the kind of leader you intend to become.

III
Build

Do the deliberate work — session by session — expanding capacity and confidence.

IV
Enlarge

Step into the fullness of your role — grounded, ready for what lies ahead.

What we offer

A head start
worth having.

Every programme is built for one pivotal moment — the first time you lead people. The work you do now determines the leader you become at every level above it.

01

1-on-1 Coaching

Confidential, tailored coaching that meets you exactly where you are. Real challenges, real conversations, real growth — no generic playbooks.

02

90-Day Foundations

The first 90 days set the culture, habits, and identity of a manager. This structured programme ensures yours are built on solid ground from day one.

03

Corporate Cohorts

Invest in your next tier of leaders before the cracks appear. Group coaching for cohorts of first-time managers, delivered across all sectors.

04

Workshops & Talks

Compelling, practical sessions on first-time leadership — for conferences, teams, and organisations serious about cultures that last.

Who this is for

You've been given
the ground.

You were exceptional at your job. Now you're responsible for the people doing it. That shift — from expert to leader — is the most underestimated transition in professional life.

Grondgebied doesn't rescue struggling managers. It prepares rising ones. Do the work now, so when the real tests come, the foundation is already there.

This is me — let's talk
You've just stepped into your first management role
You're leading people but no one ever trained you how
You want to start right — not just survive the start
You're building toward middle management and beyond
You sense more territory ahead and want to be ready
Stories from the work

Ground gained.
Territory enlarged.

Working with Jacqueline was instrumental in helping me secure my new role. She supported and guided me through all three stages of the interview process, coaching me on how to answer questions effectively and confidently. We practised extensively until I felt fully prepared and comfortable. Jacqueline also helped me improve my presentation and communication skills, teaching me how to articulate my thoughts clearly and professionally. Her dedication, patience, and expertise made a significant difference in my journey, and I am incredibly grateful for her support.

Patience Masete
Leadership Coaching Client

The 90-day programme gave me what my organisation never did. I came out knowing exactly who I was as a leader and what my team needed from me.

Sarah K.
First-Time Manager, Healthcare · Cape Town

I kept waiting to feel like I'd earned my place. Grondgebied helped me see I was already there — I just needed to step into it with intention.

Priya N.
Engineering Lead, Tech · Remote

My team noticed the shift before I finished the programme. That told me everything. Grounded, honest, transformative work.

James O.
Operations Manager, Retail · Durban

During our one on one thinking sessions, Jacqui used questioning techniques that required me to think deeper and differently. I left each session feeling empowered, knowing that I hold the answers within myself. I gained a fresh perspective and outlook, and self-awareness became a recurring theme — I noticed that when we do the inner work, things around us shift and we show up differently, even in our places of work.

B.N.
Technology · Financial Services · Cape Town
Begin the journey

Ready to enlarge
your territory?

Every engagement begins with a conversation. Reach out and let's explore whether Grondgebied is the right companion for this season of your leadership journey.

✉
jacqueline@grondgebied.co.za
☏
081 328 9265
◎
Cape Town · Available globally