About me
"I'm a leadership coach, public speaker, uber driver for friends, and chief negotiator between my wife and toddler"
My coaching journey kicked off in 2016 in Wellington, New Zealand, when a few mates stepped into management for the first time. Unable to find support from their boss, they began asking me for advice. At the time, I was managing a team of 40 in government and thought, "This could be a fun side hustle."
Word spread, and it quickly became clear there was a real need out there. People weren't asking for much, just a bit of advice and support, basics stuff that they couldn't find in their organizations.
Fast forward to 2024. I was sitting at the top table and leading a team of 200+ when my 9–5 executive role was disestablished. I backed myself and launched colintepohe.net. Giving new managers a leg up, some support, and helping them build solid foundations for their journey as people leaders.
Mid 2025, I expanded beyond coaching to speaking at leadership conferences and delivering workshops.
I work with clients virtually across the globe, offering one-on-one and group coaching sessions online. I'm also building a library of resources to make leadership development accessible whenever and wherever works for you. Whether that's on your couch at midnight or your desk during lunch.
Outside of coaching, I'm a first-time dad, a rugby referee, and love giving back to my community.
Not-for-profit I also play a key role as a volunteer at Global Games NZ, delivering some of the premier sports events in the country, connecting over 250,000 people to date.
From undermined to unstoppable
"Col's unwavering support and belief in my abilities, empowered me to exceed my own expectations and reach new heights in my career. I am profoundly grateful for his mentorship and guidance, which have left an indelible mark on my professional journey. Thank you for inspiring me to achieve greatness"
Sohan
Help Desk Manager, Sri Lanka
Take Sohan, for example. When he was promoted from team leader to manager, not everyone was happy for him. Senior team members who'd believed it was their time to step up, actively undermined him, turning his early weeks into a nightmare - he was almost at the point of throwing in the towel!
But Sohan didn't give up. He looked for support and found me, and after a few sessions, he grew in confidence and began backing himself. He learned how to deal with the people trying to cut his legs off and started setting direction for his team. By the end of the year, he'd outgrown his team and was ready for a new challenge an environment.
He applied for and secured a management role in Sri Lanka, where he and his wife now live, building their dream life together.
Real connection, real growth
My coaching style is relaxed, down-to-earth, and grounded in real connection. I don't take life too seriously—I believe growth happens best when you're actually enjoying the process. Expect a few laughs, straight talk, and a supportive space where we work together to make real progress.
I'm most passionate about giving people the leg up and support they need but often can't find anywhere else. You'll see results from our very first conversation.