Who is Antoinette Coetzee?
Antoinette Coetzee was proposed by Samantha Laing. Here is what Sam had to say about Antoinette: I first met Antoinette many years ago on a somewhat tragic project named after a cow. Antoinette was a Business Analyst and I was a Software Developer. The project was waterfall with nightmare deadlines and enough scrum/agile to make things worse. Its rather funny that we both ended up becoming agile coaches … maybe the cow had something to do with it.
What is something people usually don’t know about you but has influenced you in who you are?
I am a classically trained pianist and decided at the last moment to study Computer Science and not music. The rigour, practice, practice, practice and discipline has shaped my belief that it requires effort to become effortless and that there is always MORE to aim for.
What would have become of you, if you were not doing the job you do today?
I would either be an opera singer or a 4x4 bush guide!
What is your biggest challenge and why is it a good thing for you?
Probably to overcome the belief that nothing worthwhile comes easy. Refer answer number 1! It is good because I have a lot of drive and energy, but I would love to replace it with a belief system that incorporates some laziness!
What drives you?
The next new thought or deeper learning or realisation that makes a change to somebody’s life. I love opening minds and hearts.
What is your biggest achievement?
Nothing to do with work - either my vision quest in 2008, or the night I sang my first solo. I would love to say it was in the Met or La Scala, but it was to an audience of a full 15 people! And even that took some doing!
Is there a piece of music that has a special meaning for you?
Geez, that is hard… I listen to anything from hip hop straight through alternative, rock and jazz, all the way to classical. Perhaps Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and at the other end of the spectrum Sarah Mclachlan’s Ordinary Miracle. But that feels like being disloyal to soooo many composers, song writers and artists!
What is the last book you have read?
Robin Hobb’s “Forest Mage”
What question do you think we should also ask and what is the answer?
I think you need to ask me why I don’t write more. Because it is an important thing, but not urgent. And it takes a LOT of time!
Whom do you think we should ask next in South Africa?
Whom do you think we should ask next, not in South Africa?
How would you define your relation to the South African Agile community?
Hot and cold. I think there is a tremendous amount of talent, results and fascinating thinking and a fair amount of arrogance.
Cape Town, November 2016
How to connect with Antoinette
Twitter: @antoinetteCoet
Linked In: https://za.linkedin.com/in/antoinettecoetzee