Advancing today's founders into tomorrow's leaders
FOUNDER COACHING
At Founders to Leaders, we celebrate the Founder. As the Founder of your startup, YOU are the catalyst, the change-maker and the creative force behind your organization. It is YOUR energy which acts like a magnet, attracting collaborators, investors, partners and customers. It is YOUR energy which forms the glue needed to hold the whole thing together, especially when things get tough.
As the Founder, you possess a rare blend of vision, grit, naiveté and nerve. You are eager to try things where others have failed, and ready to persevere through adversity. You are prepared to share your vision with the world, despite knowing that most people will think it’s crazy, unworkable (or both).
As Larry Page said, you have a “healthy disregard for the impossible”.
"HAVE A HEALTHY DISREGARD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE"
- Larry Page, Google Co-Founder
You likely find yourself in the role of Founder because of your specific domain knowledge and your passion for that subject. You are an expert in your field, and you radiate enthusiasm for your topic.
Though you have the vision, domain knowledge and passion to drive your startup forward, you probably don’t (yet) have the practical experience and tools to actually make it happen. You may be a genius when it comes to data encryption, but you are not a seasoned general manager. You might be a market quant savant, but you’ve never managed a board of directors before.
You recognize that you don’t know what you don’t know. This leaves you with two options: learn what you need to learn with lightning speed as things come up; or surround yourself with others who possess that knowledge already. As the Founder, you will ultimately do a lot of both. You will need help.
BEING THE FOUNDER CAN BE A VERY LONELY PLACE
Though you are surrounded by people who are invested in your success, being the Founder can be a very lonely place- even during your second or third go around. You are probably also the CEO, CTO or Chief Scientist, etc. of your company. You will be expected to maintain the vision, and to represent strength and progress even when you yourself may experience doubt.
You will need to assure your colleagues that paychecks are coming, even as you’re nearing the end of your runway.
You will need to convince your customers that you can deliver, even as your supply chain is breaking down.
You will need to assure your board of directors that you will hit your metrics, even as your largest strategic partner bails out.
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Where do you turn for help?
Your board of directors has a vested interest in the success of your company and of your role, but not in you as the individual. Your board is there to help- but rewards strength over uncertainty and has a fiduciary responsibility to replace you if and when they feel it would serve your shareholders.
Your staff may be honest and dependable, but, ultimately, they don’t carry the weight that you do. They look to you for assurances; they expect you to convey calm during a storm.
Your customers and your partners also have no time or interest in your challenges- especially those which don’t relate directly to them.
You undoubtedly have a handful of trusted advisors; but even among them, how many have been in your place? How many are truly independent and objective?
EVERY FOUNDER NEEDS A COACH
At Founders to Leaders, we believe that every Founder needs a trusted, independent and objective coach, at every stage of development. We serve as your chief sounding board; everything is safe, and nothing is off limits. We are here to listen and guide, and to provide tools which help enable you to overcome your greatest challenges.
We are your ace-in-the-hole, your secret weapon, your invisible right-hand. We are fully invested in you, the individual, the Founder. We are here to affirm and empower you; we do not take equity positions in your company, nor do we represent your board or your shareholders.
AN OVERWHELMED FOUNDER IS AN INEFFECTIVE LEADER
We also believe that your mental health is as important to your overall success as is your killer tech, proprietary roadmap or marketing plan. As the Founder, you will juggle countless issues with your team, investors and board. It’s often too much for one person. A Founder who is overworked, over-stressed and over-tired can not effectively lead. We provide a critical reference point for your well-being, helping you to develop and adhere to a self-care plan.
You already have the vision, the passion and the tenacity; let us help you grow from today’s Founder into tomorrow’s leader.
CONTACT
Founder Coaching is currently by invitation only. Please feel free to inquire for more detail.
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If you represent an investment group and are interested in helping your current and future portfolio companies, please send us a note.
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If you are interested in our Executive Coaching services, please drop a line and let us know how we can help.
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