A career built on pattern, not pivot
I sat down with Stuart to unpack a career path that doesn't follow a straight line. From conservation, fine art, hospitality, and digital strategy marketing, to now executive coaching, his trajectory reflects a pattern rather than a jump. Each shift came from paying attention to what no longer aligned, and then acting on it.
What stands out is not the variety of industries, but the consistency in how decisions were made. Stuart speaks to the role of ethics and personal values as a filter. Instead of chasing titles or trends, he describes choosing environments and work that felt sustainable, often stepping away from what was familiar before there was a clear next step.
Sitting with uncertainty instead of ignoring it
There's also an honesty in how he frames uncertainty. Career change is not always as clean or predictable as we might like. It involves periods where direction isn't obvious. What matters, in his view, is having enough awareness to recognise when something is off, and having the tools to respond rather than ignore it.
This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in their current role but can't yet see a way out. It doesn't offer formulas or quick fixes. Instead, it highlights patterns: noticing misalignment early, making smaller course corrections, and trusting that clarity comes through action.
From career pivots to executive coaching
Stuart's move into executive coaching is a continuation of this thinking. The focus is less on prescribing outcomes and more on helping people understand their own decision-making frameworks. The same principles that shaped his path now inform how he works with others.
Stuart speaks about the launch of The Living Room, an online space where people can dial in twice a week and engage with others working through similar questions. Structured but not rigid, members workshop themes such as mental noise and cognitive overload, and Stuart provides the tools around these topics for you to take home. The point is not advice, but clarity.
Do It Your Way: the book
Stuart's upcoming book, Do It Your Way: The Life You Want Isn't Out There. It's In You., dives into the principles he applies as an executive coach. It's designed as a companion for the reader to follow and reflect on their own life as they move through the chapters.
Listen to the episode
Who's Behind The Desk is a podcast series available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Visit the podcast page on our website for previous episodes and links to our platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and more.
This episode of Who's Behind the Desk was recorded and sponsored by Cape Town Office, made for and by the community of coworkers. Cape Town Office is a coworking space built for entrepreneurs, creators, freelancers, and remote teams who believe great ideas grow faster around other people.