Dr. Thomas Knoop
Systemic coach (ECA) & Co-Founder of Sports Leadership Coaching
Welcome
Peak performance happens where analytical clarity and human depth come together.
As a former leader in publicly listed corporations and today an executive coach, I have spent more than a decade accompanying people who carry responsibility — from the first leadership step to the executive board. In Sports Leadership Coaching I bring this experience, together with Henner Janzen, into a coaching practice for coaches, sporting directors and leaders in elite sports.
Three principles
Understand — think systemically. Recognise patterns.
Leadership situations are rarely isolated. With systemic coaching methods (including Internal Family Systems, Thomas-Kilmann, Johari) we make visible which pattern is actually at work — before working on solutions.
Orient — clarity about your own "why".
Pressure builds when external expectations override your inner direction. Every engagement starts with the question of what you, as a leader, want to be measured against — then we work on the means to get there.
Translate — corporate experience meets sports logic.
From the industrial corporation into the locker room: proven leadership tools — delegation, feedback, conflict moderation, resilience — translated into the specific language and rhythm of professional sport. Particularly in the complex interface role of sporting directors and board members, this translation helps to navigate political dynamics within the club and to maintain your own agency under extreme pressure.
At a glance
- More than 1,000 coaching hours
- Over 15 years of leadership experience in publicly listed corporations
- Rating 4.79 / 5 on CoachHub (n > 800 sessions)
What clients say
“Thomas Knoop impresses with his ability to structure complex matters precisely and get straight to the point. I recommend him without reservation as a coach for demanding leadership questions.”
“Through many smart, challenging, interesting and honest questions, Thomas led me to the best solution for me. Coaching the way it should be.”
“Authentic, tailored and consistently effective. An exceptionally precise, personally fitted accompaniment.”
“Three months of intensive coaching via the CoachHub platform. A heartfelt thank you to my coach Thomas Knoop for the trust-based collaboration, the open conversations and the genuinely deep coaching sessions.”
Milestones
- 2006 — Started as a leader in international industrial corporations — first at Philips, later Zumtobel and Waldmann.
- 2022 — Trained as a Systemic Business & Personal Coach at Coaching Akademie Berlin.
- 2023 — CoachHub Expert Coach — more than 800 sessions with a rating of 4.79 / 5.
- 2024 — Lecturer in Leadership & Digital Transformation at the International School of Management (ISM) and Hochschule Bremen.
- 2025 — More than 1,000 documented coaching hours with over 100 clients.
- 2026 — Co-founded Sports Leadership Coaching with Henner Janzen.
Coaching practice
Beyond the Sports Leadership profile, I run an independent coaching practice for executives, HR, founders and C-level: thomasknoop.com — with case studies, over 25 insight articles and the option to book an introductory call directly.