Having a mum who authentically believes in a strengths-based approach to motherhood and life has been so awesome! It’s really helped me recognise what makes me, me. As I have grown into my career as an elite athlete, she has helped me see and experience the direct relationship between my strengths and my personal wellbeing, my athletic performance, and my contribution within our team environment.

Toni has such an insight into the way people think, but her real gift is in her ability to connect with people and help them see their strengths in action. It was a real joy spending time with her, and after working together I felt very encouraged, and with a greater sense of how I think, and how I thrive.

Talofa lava, malo e tau lava,

My name is Lilo Oka Sanerivi and I am a physiotherapy clinician, manager, emerging researcher, governor and leader. I came to learn of strengths-based leadership through working with Toni and now can only see and approach my important personal and professional relationships through this paradigm.

Toni has an innate ability to empower others. After just a few sessions, I was able to use my strengths in a way that was good for me and good for others which has really enhanced my work and personal life. Toni's bright spark, warm energy, and authenticity make it easy to talk about anything!

Our Tauranga RDA team had dabbled a bit in the CliftonStrengths before, but we had a few staff changes and thought a session with a facilitator would benefit the team and culture.

So we made contact with Toni.

By understanding myself better, and my strengths, it has helped me identify elements of my work that are a good fit and helps me shape my role to be more satisfying.

I found it so valuable to identify and learn how to articulate my drivers to others so they can have a better understanding of what motivates me.

Toni has an incredible ability to see and feel where your strengths are. With her empathic approach to helping unlock these, and her years of working with people from many different backgrounds, she is able to quickly begin working with you and helping you realise your potential, ability and worth. This is what she did for me.

During the coaching sessions with Toni I learnt about what I needed to feel well and how I could manage my themes so that I could be my best self.

I love supporting others, and want to be a consistent source of hope and encouragement, but I would often take on the emotions of others and then feel emotionally burnt out. I am now more aware of what I need to do to recharge my batteries so that I can be there for others. Having time alone to reflect and ponder works well for me.