By integrating reflective enquiry into the ‘self’ with the building of embodied intelligence, I help leaders and leadership teams establish a practice of conscious self-authorship—the awareness to stay grounded in complexity, lead with clarity in uncertainty, retain presence in volatility, and the agency to build inclusive cultures.
There is a simple but rarely examined truth at the heart of this work
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We are all conditioned. We are all conditioned by the culture we grew up in, by the narratives we absorbed, by the society we live and work in, by the stories told about how to be, about who succeeds, and about who belongs and who doesn't.
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Those forces don't stop at the leadership threshold. They operate beneath the surface of every decision, every room, every team and infuse the culture of every organisation. They live in our thinking we rarely critically reflect on, and they live in our bodies — in the embodied intelligence that we are rarely taught to notice.
Examining this truth is the work.
Where do you want to start?
LEADERSHIP COACHING
One-to-one coaching for senior and emerging leaders — exploring who you are, how you lead, and who you want to consciously become. Ninety-minute sessions over six to seven months, self-funded or commissioned by your organisation. Explore coaching →
For Individual Leaders
EXAMINED LEADERSHIP
A seven-month leadership development programme for ExCo and senior leadership teams, or a cohort of emerging leaders — because today we need leaders who know themselves deeply and can lead with presence and clarity in uncertain times. See the programme →
For Leadership Teams
TALKS AND SEMINARS
Keynote talks and seminars on identity, embodied intelligence, and the stories that shape how organisations think, lead, and change. Twenty-minute seminar talks to hour-long keynotes. View the talks →
For Organisational Learning
Under Matt's guidance I have come to appreciate that even the most carefully considered ideas contain preconceptions that deserve to be questioned. Matt's breadth of knowledge was evident in his highly effective support of my self reflections. His approach has always been thoughtful and without
judgement. - Will Potter, Director, Will Potter Partnership.
Who Am I?
I'm Dr Matt Jacobs. I hold a PhD in the sociology of identity and have thirty years of experience across leadership and organisational development in Bristol, UK, and twenty years of my own reflective practice. I am an ILM Senior Practitioner and ICF ACC accredited leadership coach, dialogic facilitator, and keynote speaker.
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I work in the space of identity — of who we are and how we can be genuinely intentional about how we show up, cognitively and somatically. That means working with leaders on how they lead from a place of authenticity and values, and with organisations on how they create leadership to navigate volatility, uncertainty, and polarisation whilst developing cultures of belonging and inclusion for everyone.
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Testimonials
Working in a large, diverse organisation, Matt’s insightful and thought provoking coaching has allowed me to develop and push boundaries around my personal leadership capabilities. Matt listens and hears, providing a safe space for both external and internal dialogue allowing a deeper understanding of ‘self’ and ‘direction’ that contributes to my achievement and performance of the wider organisational strategies.
Kelly Ward, Head of Operations, Public Health Wales
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Matt is patient and kind, but he won’t let you off the hook. He holds space in a way that is non-judgemental yet deeply supportive, offering both challenge and care. If you are ready for that kind of honest reflection, Matt is the right person to work with.
As a woman racialised as Black, I was initially sceptical, as race is often a necessary lens for me to raise in coaching spaces. While Matt openly acknowledges that he will never share my lived experience, he was able to hold a genuinely brave space, one where I could explore, play, and reflect without defensiveness or discomfort. That, in itself, speaks volumes.
Aisha Thomas, Founder & Director, Representation Matters.
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Matt is exceptional to work with. We have partnered on a number of projects and he is always a joy to work with. Smart, insightful, empathetic with the right balance of support and challenge he is able to get to the heart of the issue with tact and astuteness. I highly recommend him.