What is founder coaching?
My definition of founder coaching is different to the typical definition of coaching. Firstly I believe that to be a “Founder Coach” then you must have been a Founder yourself at some point. You cannot relate or understand the founder experience if you have not experienced it yourself.
Secondly, my version of founder coaching breaks from the typical boundaries of coaching and blurs the lines between coaching, mentoring and advising. This is because I don’t believe that all founders only need coaching. Founders have stressful and intense roles filled with complexity and uncertainty - sometimes the most beneficial thing they have receive is advice or mentorship - not coaching.
Yet, the coaching approach is fundamental - creating a safe space for the founder to explore and share challenges and then creating a container for the coach to ask questions, share feedback and help the Founder find a path forwards.
Who is founder coaching for?
Founders! I only work with Founders and I class this as the person that started the business. I don’t work with CEOs or other leaders. In my experience these roles require totally different support.
Is founder coaching confidential?
Completely and this is a crucial part of the coaching contract. Not only will I ask you to share your feelings with me, I will also ask you to share business information so we can track your mood and the company performance. Two very important data sets. Everything you share is treated with complete confidentiality.
How is founder coaching different from executive coaching?
Founder coaching is for Founders and executive coaching is for executives. Sometimes founders receive executive coaching because they want to be better executives (CEO/CTO etc). This is not an area of interest or experience for me. I am skilled at support founders to be the best founders they can be - therefore we focus completely on your life and role as a founder, not as an executive.
Can coaching help burnout?
Yes. I believe that a committment to founder coaching can both prevent burnout and entirely and bring you back from it if that’s where you are. The safe space to discuss is a relief, but then the practical steps you will take from coaching sessions would allow you to move towards a situation that is more energising and nourishing for you.
Do founders need therapy or coaching?
Good question! I feel like everyone benefits from therapy at some point in their life. It depends on the context of the challenges being faced by the founder. Founder coaching can “feel” therapeutic but it is nothing like therapy. Founder coaching can support your mental health but it is not explicitly there for your mental health.
How long does founder coaching last?
I have no completion date or timeframe for a program of work. Our work finishes usually when you have reached your next milestone and this is when we feel like there is a natural end.
How much is founder coaching?
With me £1,000 - £2,000 a month depending on the number of sessions.
What will I get from founder coaching?
Beyond the other things I have listed on my website or the founder coaching page… everyone I have ever worked with has arrived at their destination. There is usually a reason or inner calling inside you that pushes you towards working with someone. I believe that if you follow that and commit to a process then in our work together I will help you get to where you want to go.
