Likes & Launch

We advise all of our portfolio CEOs to hire a management coach. Working to improve leadership skills is vital for management and shouldn’t stop at the CEO. Jerry Colonna, Fred’s Partner from Flatiron Ventures, is a highly regarded leadership coach who works with a number of the top CEOs in tech. Most, if not all, publicly traded company CEOs have a coach, even Jeff Bezos as mentioned in The Everything Store. 

Every executive, no matter how much experience, will always have room for improvement. Especially when they’re leading a fast growing venture-backed startup, where the obstacles are constantly changing.

It can be lonely at the top of the company. Even if you have a great executive team and board, there are still concerns you may not feel comfortable sharing with those members of your team. As Fred and Mark discussed, board members can serve as a coach but the relationship is loaded because they have other chips in the game. Having a neutral third party to discuss decisions, challenges, and personal development areas is essential. Whether it is on a weekly or monthly basis, hiring a coach is a business expense that will empower a CEO to make the leadership decisions that drive the company forward.

The stress of entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at your doorstep. Professional challenges can seep into your personal life. To do your best work, you have to take care of yourself. Finding the time to care for your emotional and physical well being is essential. Running, yoga, biking, walking, spending time with family – whatever the outlet may be, being disciplined to care for your own well being is critical. Even at the fastest growing company, if you’re not taking the time to recharge, you won’t be leading a company well for long.

Although few may talk about their coaches, I think it’s an advantageous choice for any CEO. 

If you’re looking to find a coach or have someone to recommend, drop a note in the comments. 

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