Jonathan Michael is a passionate communicator, activator, navigator, and developer of people. His purpose in life is to be an Amazing grace, an Inspiring voice and an Extraordinary presence.
He is a Sr. Master Certified Birkman Coach and Consultant (the highest level and considered the “Black Belt”) of Birkman International Inc. He has been called a BIRKMAN GURU which does not mean some exotic turban-wearing mystic, but rather a trainer of coaches who use the Birkman Method to aid in transformational changes in learners and leaders. Jonathan administers and interprets the world’s premier positive psychometric assessment for leadership coaching and a multitude of career and relational applications.
He has specialized training with BluePoint Leadership (formerly the Tom Peters Company) in communication, coaching and leadership practices, The Coaches Training Institute (CTI), CRG assessment systems and FranklinCovey. Jonathan also partners with other renowned and talented coaches, consultants, knowledge specialists and mentors to bring some of the best resources to organisations and individuals through Foresight Leadership Solutions.
Jonathan has 25 years of experience developing people from all walks of life from senior Microsoft staff to university administrators. He has worked in large multinationals, Not-for-profits and small business environments. His education includes a B.A. in the liberal arts with English and German as his languages of choice. He graduated, Summa Cum Laude with a Masters Degree from Trinity Western University, Canada’s renowned private Christian University. He was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal, for his academic achievements. This is the highest award for in higher education in Canada, which is conferred by the Crown and in this case by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the third woman Governor General of Canada. Others, who have won the same award, include Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy.
Jonathan comes from a family of renowned teachers and educators that include his award winning sister Dr. Shirley Hereford Ph.D, a writer, author and consultant in India who is featured in Jack Canfield’s book “Chicken Soup for the Indian Teacher’s Soul”.
In his spare time Jonathan likes to swing kettlebells for exercise, discuss ethics and metaphysics with his two sons, Joshua and Judah. Jonathan is also an accomplished singer song-writer, and has played and sung, before a wide variety of audiences around the world. He has been married to Christiane Adiappa-Sievers for 30+ years. Christiane is his secret weapon against the administrative gremlins that haunt him. They live in the lower mainland of BC, where they take great joy in the view of the mighty Fraser River, Burnaby Mountain and Mount Baker from their front porch!