If you're here, you're thinking about hiring a coach.
As a founder, how do you decide:
- If you need a coach?
- What kind of coach you should work with?
- How to find the right coach?
After interviewing over 1,600 executive coaches and performance psychologists, and matching dozens of Series A to C founders to one of the 48 coaches in our network, we've learned what it takes for founders to find and engage the right coach, and our goal here is to share those insights with you in a step-by-step guide.
The Process of Finding a Coach
The 8 Steps are:
- Define what you want
- Determine if you need a coach or something else
- Identify the type of coach you need
- Get introductions
- Vet your options
- Choose the best fit
- Structure a deal
- Start the engagement
Step 6: Choose the best Fit
After evaluating your options, conducting interviews, and setting up simulated sessions, it’s nearly time to make a decision. Consider these final questions:
- How well do they grasp your situation and business needs?
- Is there potential for a strong therapeutic alliance?
Let’s dive into what each of these questions involves and how they can guide your decision-making process.
Summary of Considerations:
- Type of Coach
- Professional Background
- Past Clientele
- Quality
- Fit
- X-Factors (e.g. Demographics, Personality)
- Deal (Cost, Level of Support, 360 Process)
After considering all of the above, if one choice is not clear, trust your gut (“flip a coin trick”)
Understanding of You and Your Business
A coach’s ability to grasp the nuances of your personal situation and business can be impacted by:
- Founder or Startup Experience: Coaches who have walked in your shoes as founders or startup executives themselves can often invaluable insights and empathy.
- Industry Experience: Coaches with experience in your specific industry (e.g., healthcare, climate, fintech, hardware, software) can at times be more attuned to the challenges of your business.
- Demographics: Sometimes founders of certain backgrounds find that a coach sharing the same gender, falling into a certain age range, or coming from a similar ethnic background can be helpful for building trust.
Predictors of Therapeutic Alliance
The relationship between you and your coach, often referred to as the "therapeutic alliance," is a strong predictor of success. Look for alignment in:
- Personality: Do they align with your personality traits? Consider factors like communication style, values, intensity, interests, and whether you prefer someone who is more warm and supportive versus direct and challenging.
- Past Clients: Have they worked with companies or founders similar to you? Look for analogous experience in terms of industry, product type, go-to-market strategy, and even investor relationships.
- Trust Your Gut: Ultimately, the strength of your connection—how comfortable and supported you feel—can be the most important indicator of a successful partnership.
Nuanced Variables
For a deeper dive into selecting the right coach, consider these advanced factors:
- 360 Process: Explore how the coach gathers feedback. Do they use live calls, asynchronous surveys, or no formal process at all? Consider whether they share feedback with you directly or keep it for their own reference.
- Source Material / Methodologies / Formal Training: Coaches often draw on specific frameworks or methodologies. Understanding some of the most popular ones can help you determine if their approach aligns with your needs.
- The Conscious Leadership Group (founded by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp) emphasizes self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the distinction between "above the line" (openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning) and "below the line” (defensiveness, blame, and a fixed mindset) thinking.
- Reboot, a coaching and leadership development firm co-founded by Jerry Colonna is distinctive for its emphasis on radical self-inquiry, emotional intelligence, and personal growth as the foundations for effective leadership. The Reboot Coaching method is known for its depth and its commitment to helping leaders grow by first understanding and transforming themselves.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz in the 1980s. It is based on the idea that the mind is composed of multiple, interacting parts, each with its own perspective, feelings, and desires. These parts are often in conflict with one another, which can lead to psychological distress. IFS is used to help individuals understand and harmonize these internal parts, leading to greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and overall well-being.
- The Mochary Method is a leadership coaching framework developed by Matt Mochary, a former entrepreneur and now a prominent coach for CEOs and executives, particularly in the tech industry. The method is designed to help leaders operate more effectively by focusing on personal growth, team dynamics, and company culture.
What’s next
As you make your final decision, remember that choosing the right coach is more than just checking off qualifications. It’s about finding someone who deeply understands your specific challenges and can foster a meaningful, supportive relationship. And sometimes, you just have to follow your gut feeling.
What is holding you and your company back from the next stage of growth?
Apply to become a part of Titan’s next monthly cohort here: https://www.withtitan.com/apply
