Leadership is the lever that changes everything

Who We Are

At Leaders For Life, we believe leadership isn’t just about skills — it’s about awareness, courage, and impact.
We work with leaders who want to transform not only how they lead, but the culture they create.

Founded by Simone van der Kallen, she brings over 20 years of experience working with CEOs, executives, and leadership teams across industries — from professional services and healthcare, agriculture, construction and profit for purpose.

Simone has built, scaled, and sold a business, so she understands the real challenges leaders face. Her philosophy is straightforward: provide the support, challenge, and safe space she once needed herself — helping leaders shift from feeling overwhelmed and exhausted to leading with clarity, confidence, and impact.

She brings a unique mix of:

  • Commercial acumen (having grown and sold her own successful business)

  • Deep expertise in leadership, culture, and psychology

  • A reputation for honesty, courage, and getting to the heart of what really matters

Clients say Simone has a gift for “calling what others shy away from” while creating safe spaces for leaders and teams to grow.

Our Approach

Clarity. Courage. Connection.
These three words define how we work.

  • Clarity → Radical self-awareness through 360° feedback and the Enneagram.

  • Courage → Authentic conversations that leaders often avoid, but need for real change.

  • Connection → Coaching and development that embed change, creating lasting impact on culture, performance, and creating environments that people want to be part of.

We don’t do “tick-the-box” development. We deliver transformation.

Values

  • 💬 Authenticity
    Real over perfect
    No jargon, no posturing — just real conversations that matter and build trust.

  • 🌿 Appreciation
    Notice, honour, and value Appreciation is about truly seeing — what we have, who we’re with, and the moments that matter. We honour the people who make a difference, value every voice, and recognise the unique qualities in others.

  • Excellence
    Raise the bar
    We hold ourselves to the highest standards, creating lasting impact and never settling for complacency.

Why Leaders Trust Us

Our point of difference: Insight always comes with development.
Because without support, culture and leadership diagnostics can be more harmful than helpful.

That’s why every program we deliver — from High Performing Minds to bespoke culture journeys — combines diagnostics, coaching, and ongoing support.

Impact we’re proud of:

25%
Engagement uplift in just 6 weeks

$300K
Revenue growth in the month following partners’ offsite with a professional services firm.

2022
“Best GP Practice in Australia” — after a leadership & culture transformation.

2018
Community Group of the Year (Newcastle Hunter region) — awarded to an NFP following a leadership and culture development program.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor Of Applied Social Science

  • Post Graduate Certificate Neuro-Linguistic Programming

  • Certificate IV Workplace Training & Assessment

Certifications

  • Leading Psychosocial Safety & Care

  • AIHR - Academy To Innovate HR

  • Strengths Profile

  • Predictive Index Certification - Talent Optimization Framework

  • Hogan Assessment

  • The Leadership Circle® Profile, Manager Edition, Leadership Culture Survey Accredited

  • GLWS® – Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey Accredited

  • The Enneagram in Business Coaching- Coaching with the Enneagram

  • The Enneagram in Business Coaching- Advanced Coaching

  • The Enneagram in Business - What Type of Leader Are You Train the Trainer

  • Thinking Environment® Facilitator Accredited

  • Thinking Environment® Foundation Accredited

  • Thinking Environment® Partnerships Accredited

  • Advanced Group Facilitation

  • ASIST Skills Training

  • SMART Recovery Facilitator

  • ACT Mindfulness Facilitator Dr Russ Harris

Let's chat. Real conversation. Fresh Perspective.