About the coach Stefan Quest
3 things I believe, or rather how did I get to the Coaching journey?
For me, the journey has always been about fostering collaboration and helping teams thrive. As a kid, I realised that while I understood one part of a homework concept, working with three or four others who knew different parts allowed us to fully grasp the material and ensure a guaranteed pass. This taught me my first lesson: teams are more than the sum of their parts. This philosophy has guided me through various fields, from sales to music, software development, and coaching. The saying "two heads are better than one" is not just a saying; it's a fact.
I've been fortunate to find success in several endeavours that require teamwork, such as working in audio and hospitality at one of the top venues in Amsterdam. The stories I could tell about the stars I've met—their behaviour, humility, arrogance, and the impact of ego—are endless. They shared valuable lessons with me, leading to my second lesson: listen and ask for clarification.
I've always been a high-energy person, but curiosity and empathy have accompanied me on this journey. I've been the one to ask questions about anything under the sun (think of the annoying two-year-old phase that never ended). I've been lucky to be around people kind enough to show me the ropes once my observations took me to a certain level. This brings me to my third lesson: always be nice—it costs nothing, and you never know what knowledge the person in front of you holds and may be willing to share.
Professional growth
Key milestones or achievements
One of my most recent milestones was passing the ICF-PCC exam, which now allows me to practice coaching in line with the ethics and guidelines of the International Coaching Federation. This is a significant step in my journey to help individuals and teams unlock their full potential.
Another proud accomplishment was passing the SAFe Practice Consultant exam. It was a rigorous process, and now I’m equipped to guide organizations—whether large or small—through successful agile transformations. Being able to help teams shift their mindset and processes toward agility is deeply rewarding.
A project close to my heart was my involvement with the Streets 2 Click program, a transformative initiative from a higher education center in Nigeria. The program empowers at-risk youth with valuable tech skills, giving them the opportunity to change their lives. I not only contributed as a developer, helping to launch the website, but I also had the privilege of setting up the first scrum team—a shift that eventually transformed the entire organisation. This experience truly solidified my belief in the power of teamwork and agile practices to create lasting, positive change.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of work?
My Passions and Hobbies
When I’m not coaching, facilitating agile transformations, or diving into team dynamics, you’ll find me staying active and exploring the world. I’m a fan of working out and biking, with a deep interest in martial arts. I find that both the physical and mental discipline of martial arts help me stay sharp, focused, and ready for any challenge.
As an avid traveler, I’ve been fortunate enough to sample some incredible cuisines along the way. Food has become a true passion of mine, and naturally, cooking is something I enjoy as well. The stories of unforgettable meals I’ve had in different places could fill a book (or at least an entire evening of storytelling)! 😊
Agile Coach: My experience as an Agile Coach allows me to view the topology of teams and departments from a holistic perspective. I help organisations improve communication, drive value, and implement a variety of agile methodologies tailored to their unique needs. Whether it's Scrum, Kanban, or Lean, I guide teams to adopt the right approach and continuously improve their processes.
SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC): As a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Practice Consultant, I have the expertise to help organisations scale agile practices across teams and departments. I have the depth of knowledge and experience to implement SAFe in companies of up to 5,000 people independently, and in collaboration with other experts, I can scale it to organisations of 20,000 or more. My goal is to ensure that agile practices are embedded at every level, enabling large organisations to work more cohesively, innovate faster, and deliver at scale.
Competencies and Qualifications
How do your certifications (ICF-PCC, SPC, Scrum Master) enhance your ability to serve clients?
My journey through various certifications has equipped me with a deep and multifaceted understanding of team dynamics, leadership, and agile frameworks, enabling me to serve my clients in a variety of ways:
PSM 1 & 2 (Professional Scrum Master): These certifications opened my eyes to the power of the Scrum methodology as a set of guiding principles for teams. Scrum provides a clear structure and set of "guardrails" to help teams adopt best practices, improve their workflows, and work towards consistent success. I use this knowledge to help teams become self-organising, efficient, and focused on delivering value.
ICF-PCC (International Coaching Federation – Professional Certified Coach): With my training as an executive coach, I bring a high level of professionalism and a coaching approach rooted in deep listening, powerful questioning, and fostering growth at the individual and leadership levels. I work with executives to unlock their potential and guide them in making strategic decisions that align with their organization’s goals.
What is your coaching philosophy and how does it influence your approach to working with clients?
Approach and Philosophy
The client always has an idea of what they need, even if they can’t put it into distinct words. They have a feeling or direction of where they would like to go. My job is to be quiet enough to hear that voice and expose it, along with the ideas that come with it, so the client can act on and realise their goals.
How do you tailor your coaching and training methods to meet the unique needs of each client or organisation?
Each organisation is unique and presents a unique opportunity to bring something new to the game. Aside from the standard prescription of agile or scrum practices, I believe in taking the time to listen and be flexible where possible. It may astound you what possibilities arise when a bit of creativity is added to agile software development and service delivery.