Find the sense in nonsense, then make it work for you. That’s why Nonsense At Work exists:

• To convince clients, readers, and anyone who will listen that there is always some sense in nonsense, if we know how to look for it.
• And that if we are willing to look for it, time and again we will find that we can make the nonsense at work work for us.

2005: the year Nonsense At Work kicked off in the USA

1990: the year I risked all to be an independent coach, advisor and consultant to executives

Me… As The Less Formal Coach

I was born in the middle of South African wine country, earned three degrees drinking red wine, was chased by a lioness, had to run from elephants, got bored, and moved to the USA seeking adventure.

On the same day as my encounter with that lioness and those elephants, I saw a lot of dung baking in the sun. And many dung beetles. That’s when I realized that what I see as nonsense might be sense to someone else.

As a business consultant and executive leadership coach, I have seen a lot of nonsense at work. That’s why I now help leaders, executives and other managers to make the nonsense at work work for them.

When this gets the better of me, I retreat to writing and public speaking until my confidence returns. I have repeated this cycle for more than 30 years without seriously hurting myself, my clients, my audience or, most importantly, my family.

Call me on 804 240 2715

Or email me at “james at nonsenseatwork dot com”

Me… As The More Formal Coach

James McIntosh is the coach, writer and Chief Nonsense Officer for Nonsense at Work.

He began his career in 1979 as an economist reporting to a board of directors comprising CEOs and civil servants. He has continued to work as an advisor to senior executives ever since.

During his career of more than 30 years, James has advised executives in industries including: advertising and branding; housing construction; information technology; medical; municipal and county services; merchant shipping; non-profit; oil; professional services; retail; and wealth management.

Call me on 804 240 2715

Or email me at “james at jamesmcintoshcoaching dot com”

Visit the more formal coach site

Experience in summary:

• CEO/President (private company, USA)
• Interim CEO (listed company, South Africa)
• Executive Board Member (listed industrial holding company, South Africa)
• Independent coach, advisor and consultant to executives since 1990
• Worked on two continents in multiple sectors, from advertising to wealth management.

Experience in practice:

James began his career in 1979 as an economist reporting to a board of directors comprising CEOs and civil servants. He has continued to work as an advisor to senior executives ever since.

In 1990 he co-founded a niche strategy and executive effectiveness consulting firm in Cape Town, South Africa. Noteworthy assignments have included (a) the successful rescue of a clothing chain with 185 stores in 5 countries, (b) a stint as interim CEO, and (c) appointment as an Executive Director to the Board of Directors (for 4 years) of an industrial holding company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

He has advised executives in industries including: advertising and branding; housing construction; information technology; medical; municipal and county services; merchant shipping; non-profit; oil; professional services; retail; and wealth management.

Many of his USA clients are classified as small, medium and non-profit. However, two of his clients can be described as big: he provided long-term executive and leadership coaching services to senior managers and vice presidents within a major firm operating in the financial services industry, and completed assignments for a Fortune 200 company based in Richmond.

In June 2019 James retired from the role of CEO of a 30+ year old wealth management firm.

Experience in theory:

MBA (Stellenbosch University Business School, South Africa)
Hons B (B&A) (Stellenbosch University Business School, South Africa)
B.S. (Agricultural Economics) (University of Pretoria, South Africa)