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Your co-founder is one of the most important people in your life.
Together, you turned an idea into a successful company, coming up with solutions that neither one of you would have created alone.
You have incredible respect for each other. Your co-founder is brilliant, hard-working and just as driven to succeed as you are. But your co-founder can also be challenging and frustrating.
Despite the hours you’ve spent together, your business partnership has become more complicated and you‘re wondering if it’s starting to show.
You might find yourselves in conflict more than you have in the past. Just as likely, you’re getting along fine on the surface.
Since you began the company, you’ve each grown personally and professionally. That’s a good thing! But sometimes you worry that your ideas and goals - once always in synch - are diverging.
You’re clashing more frequently on strategy and plans. Maybe you’re arguing in meetings while your employees wonder what’s happening. Or maybe you’re doubting decisions more than you have before.
You might have heard the statistic that 65% of high-potential startups fail as a result of conflict among co-founders. You do NOT want that to happen to you.
How can you create a solid foundation to carry you through tough times? How can you work together for the long-term as you scale? Coaching for Co-Founders is the answer!
How it works
While your program will be 100% customized, our work together will include:
Weekly or bi-weekly group sessions with all co-founders as well as individual sessions.
During these sessions, we’ll drill down and discover your biggest challenges, needs and goals.Identifying and addressing your most pressing recurring challenges as a co-founder team.
Recognizing and describing your challenges happens first. Together, we’ll get to the root of why they happen and come up with a strategy for overcoming them.Building on your greatest co-founder team strengths.
We’ll explore what’s going well and create more of the good stuff.Reviewing and creating actions based on a strengths-based assessment taken by each co-founder.
We’ll use the results to gain insights into work styles and preferences, to reduce conflict and help you divide responsibilities in a way that plays to each person’s talents and preferences.Creating a “Co-Founders Agreement” addressing key behaviors for optimal company performance.
This is like the Operating Agreement you might already have - but for your working relationship! This will help you to overcome conflict (and reduce the amount you have in the first place)!
The Results?
You’ll create a more resilient co-founder relationship that will adapt to the challenges of scaling a company. You’ll be prepared to build your company from a more solid foundation and positioned to navigate through whatever the startup world throws your way.
You and your co-founder(s) will:
Reclaim the joy of building the company together.
Feel safe approaching each other with challenges and successes.
Fully trust each other and know the feeling is mutual.
Become crystal clear on your shared goals so you can each work towards them.
Articulate and agree on roles and responsibilities that play to your strengths and preferences.
Create a company culture that each co-founder is thrilled about.
Ready to create new results?
I’m Lisa Conners, and I know that being a co-founder isn’t easy, but it can still be fun, exciting and worth the effort.
After spending years managing programs for the Nasdaq stock market and NASD, consulting with financial institutions, leading marketing and public relations programs, and managing multi-million dollar programs and a large, distributed team for a telecom company, I decided to go into business with a partner.
For seven years, I experienced the full entrepreneurial roller coaster of successes, disappointments, emotions and challenges - all while making decisions with a co-founder. I learned what works and what doesn’t.
Now, I’m an Executive Coach who draws on these experiences to help visionary co-founders make transformational changes that get extraordinary business results - in a way where they actually enjoy the process!
I’m certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the College of Executive Coaching - but my coaching meetings aren’t scripted and I don’t use a “one-size-fits-all” agenda. I understand that each co-founder relationship is unique and I’ll get to know each of you and your dynamics.
I’ll tailor our work to get you, your co-founder, and your company, the most impactful outcome.
You and your co-founder are your company’s most valuable assets. Taking the time to re-examine your mutual and individual goals, dreams, challenges and values is the most important next step.
Together, we’ll do a thorough review of what’s working and what isn’t. We’ll shine a light on sources of conflict and explore solutions.
Is that going to feel uncomfortable at first? Absolutely!
But I promise to be there every step of the way to guide you both.
For your company to survive and thrive, honoring strengths and addressing challenges is critical.
By coming together in a facilitated space to have crucial conversations, you’ll (re)build the foundation of a strong, long-term partnership.
Ready to get back to that feeling you had when you started - and supercharge your business in the process?
FAQs
Q: There are more than two co-founders in my company. Will Coaching for Co-Founders work for us?
A: Yes! Your program will be tailored to accommodate all co-founders.
Q: Our venture is in the early stages. We aren’t generating revenue yet. Is Coaching for Co-Founders appropriate for us?
A: Absolutely! The sooner you start, the better. Creating a more resilient relationship with your co-founder will accelerate the success of your company.
Q: We are actively fundraising and I’m not sure we can make time for coaching. Should we wait until after we secure funds?
A: Don’t wait! Together, we’ll create a schedule that works for you. Investors can tell when co-founders are aligned, so this is the perfect time to elevate your partnership.
Q: What is the investment?
A: The investment varies based on the program that we agree is right for all co-founders and your venture. Set up a consultation here. There will not be a fee for this meeting.
Q: This sounds great, but I’m nervous about approaching my co-founder about it. What should I do?
A: Let’s start with you and I having a conversation. First, we’ll talk about your situation so we can make sure that Coaching for Co-Founders is the right next step. If we feel it is, I’ll support you in structuring the conversation with your co-founder. I won’t charge a fee at this stage because I understand it’s essential to get everyone on board before we agree to move ahead.
Q: We’ve gotten this far on our own. Why should we bring in a coach?
A: Finding the right type of help at the right time is an important part of leadership. Since you’ve read this far, you’re likely thinking that you and your co-founder would benefit from coaching. I’ve seen entrepreneurs delay the decision to begin coaching and then truly regret not having more direct, facilitated conversations when it would have been easier. Yes, this will take some work. But hard work is what got your business to where it is today - you’re equipped for it, and you know it yields results!
Q: Do you have resources to help us get started?
A: Yes! Check out these resources that I’ve compiled including podcasts, videos, and books.