This is a question I get asked when working with C-level including founders, CEO’s and CTO’s of high growth startups. Often the question comes from startup C-level themselves, having become curious about coaching as a tool for development of themselves as their business grows, or being guided towards coaching by hands on and expectant investors.
The end of chemistry calls can end with a pause and furrowed brow with the question: so what do others bring to coaching sessions with you? A request for guidance, for reassurance and for some sense of normalising what they themselves might want to bring to work on, having understood more from the chemistry conversation.
Within coaching sessions, topics are really very personal to each individual and can range from more competency based (e.g. how do I delegate so I can focus on the next raise) to more personal (e.g. how do I manage family relationships when I am under severe pressure at work).
I find that in reality – within the private and personal space of a conversation with someone who is truly listening and helping explore underneath the surface, the personal and the professional show as heavily intertwined and so the coaching conversation flows between both. And importantly, as elements of the coaching relationship develop including trust, coachees can feel more ready to reflect and share more deeply.
Topics can also vary depending on what state the company is in. Whether going through fast paced growth, gearing up for a funding round, managing redundancies or motivating key employees at any of these critical times, the startup journey for businesses is dynamic and coaching sessions can reflect these changing states as leaders strive to manage themselves and others through constant and evolving change.
So, I’ve scanned my recent case notes and pulled together some examples of topics that have come up in sessions with C-level coachees I work with in the startup space. You’ll see the variety between personal and professional, between technical competency and personal development and perhaps some overlap with what might be on your mind.
Examples of what topics startup C-level clients have brought to a coaching session:
– how do I identify a leadership style that is authentically me
– how do I influence the team culture to drive performance
– how do I start to define my own career future beyond my current state
– how do I find a deeper sense of connection and focus on relationships in this virtual work world
– how do I nurture more resilient relationships through uncertain times
– how do I bring in more aspects of my personality into my leadership style
– how do I continue to grow personally and make time for this outside of work
– how do I look after myself during fundraising stress/anxiety
– how do I manage myself at work when feeling a lot of emotions
– how do I advocate better for myself
– how do I increase my tolerance for uncertainty and unpredictability (i.e. having a lack of control)
– how do I develop more of a coaching style to lead with, and be less directive
– how do I transition into a new leadership role
– how do I rebuild my confidence
If you’re considering working with a coach and can relate to what I have shared here, do please get in touch and I’d be very happy to talk more with you. Book in a call and let’s get going.
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash