This series isn't just a collection of articles; it's a distillation of my years of experience working alongside founders, witnessing their triumphs and challenges. It's a reflection of my own ongoing commitment to professional development and a deep dive into the multifaceted aspects of this critical juncture in a founder's journey.

Each month, a new article will be released, delving into a specific facet of the exit process, offering insights, strategies, and practical advice. This gradual release mirrors the iterative nature of building and exiting a business, allowing you to reflect on each stage, integrate new knowledge, and apply these concepts to your own journey. It also allows me to incorporate my newest experiences and research, ensuring the information remains timely and relevant.

The series is structured in five distinct parts, providing a comprehensive roadmap for navigating founder exits. This roadmap will evolve over time, incorporating your feedback and emerging trends to ensure it remains the most valuable resource available.

Part 1: Laying the Foundation - Preparing for the Exit Journey

This section sets the stage for a successful exit, prompting founders to reflect on their motivations, assess their readiness, and understand the financial implications of their decisions.

Part 2: Exploring Exit Strategies and Maximizing Value

Here, we delve into the various exit strategies available, from finding the right buyer to negotiating favorable deal terms and mastering the art of negotiation.

Part 3: Navigating the Legal and Financial Landscape

This section guides founders through the legal complexities and tax implications of an exit, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the intricate landscape of dealmaking.

Part 4: Specialized Exit Strategies and Emerging Trends

We explore specialized exit strategies, such as IPOs and succession planning for family businesses, as well as emerging trends like SPACs and the role of technology in M&A.

Part 5: Life Beyond the Exit

This final section focuses on the transition to life after an exit, guiding founders in planning their next chapter, building a lasting legacy, and finding fulfillment beyond the entrepreneurial hustle.

I am excited to officially launch this series on October 22nd, 2024, and invite you to join me on this journey! This article will serve as the central hub for the Founder Exit Series, collecting and centralizing all related content published on this website. You can find links to each article within their respective parts here. The first article in Part 1, "A Founder's Guide to Exit Readiness," will be available starting with November 22nd. New articles will be published on the 22nd of each month. All subscribers will receive information about the latest article in the monthly newsletter, which is sent on the 29th of each month.

My goal with this series is to empower founders, providing them with the knowledge, tools, and perspectives to navigate the complexities of an exit with clarity and confidence. It's an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery, strategic planning, and legacy creation, ensuring that the culmination of your entrepreneurial endeavors is not just an ending, but a transformative beginning.

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Factors to Consider: A Framework for Reflection

The decision to sell is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. Rather than offering prescriptive advice, let's consider the key areas where thoughtful reflection can be most valuable:

Business Performance and Financial Health:

✨Financial Performance: How strong are your financials? Are they consistently demonstrating growth, healthy margins, and profitability? What story do your financial statements tell a potential buyer? How do they compare to industry benchmarks?

✨Growth Trajectory: Is your business currently experiencing growth? If so, how sustainable is that growth? Are you riding a wave, or is the growth built on a solid foundation? What potential for future growth remains?

✨Operational Efficiency: How streamlined and efficient are your operations? Are your processes documented and easily transferable? Could someone step in and run the business smoothly without you?

Market Conditions and Industry Trends:

✨Market Conditions: What's the overall economic climate? Is it a buyer's or seller's market? How is your specific industry performing?

✨Industry Trends: Are there any emerging technologies or trends that could impact your business? Are you positioned to capitalize on these trends, or are they a potential threat?

✨Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Activity: Is there a lot of M&A activity in your industry? What does that suggest about the current market for businesses like yours?

Personal Readiness and Goals:

✨Owner Readiness: Are you ready to sell? What are your personal and professional goals? How does selling (or not selling) fit into those goals?

✨Burnout and Enthusiasm: How passionate are you about your business right now? Can you realistically maintain that enthusiasm for the foreseeable future?

✨Succession Planning: Do you have a potential successor in mind? If so, are they ready to take over?

✨Emotional Preparedness: Selling a business can be an emotional rollercoaster. Are you prepared for that? What will life look like after the sale?

Tax Implications:

✨Tax Liability: Have you considered the tax implications of selling? How might the structure of the sale impact your tax liability? Have you consulted with a tax advisor?

Confidentiality and Due Diligence:

✨Confidentiality: How will you protect confidential information during the sale process? What steps will you take to ensure discretion?

✨Due Diligence: How prepared are you for the due diligence process? Do you have all the necessary documentation readily available?

Conclusion: Timing Your Exit Strategically

Timing the sale of your business is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process of evaluation and adjustment. By regularly asking yourself these questions and staying informed about the various factors at play, you can position yourself to make the most strategic decision when the time is right.

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Here are some key considerations for founders:

✨ Emotional Detachment: It's natural to be emotionally attached to the business you've poured your heart and soul into. However, to make sound decisions, it's vital to detach yourself emotionally and view the exit objectively. This allows you to assess offers rationally, negotiate effectively, and ultimately make the best choice for your future.

✨ Defining Success: What does a successful exit look like to you? Is it purely about maximizing financial returns, or are there other factors at play, such as preserving your company's legacy, ensuring the well-being of your employees, or contributing to the industry in a new way? Clearly defining your personal definition of success will guide your decision-making and help you evaluate offers beyond just the numbers.

✨ Embracing Change: Exiting your business marks a significant life change. Are you ready for a shift in your identity, routine, and responsibilities? Embrace the opportunity for growth and reinvention. Consider how you'll fill the void left by your business and explore new avenues for personal and professional fulfillment.

✨ Building a Support Network: Navigating an exit can be a complex and emotionally taxing process. Surround yourself with a strong support network of trusted advisors, mentors, family, and friends. Seek their counsel, share your concerns, and leverage their expertise to guide you through the challenges and celebrate your successes.

✨Planning for the Future: What's next for you after the exit? Whether it's retirement, pursuing new ventures, or simply taking time for yourself, having a clear vision for your future will ease the transition and provide a sense of purpose and direction. Start planning early and explore different options to ensure a fulfilling and meaningful next chapter.

✨ Self-Care: The exit process can be demanding and stressful. Prioritize your well-being throughout the journey. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, engage in activities that bring you joy, and seek support when needed. Remember that taking care of yourself is essential for making sound decisions and ensuring a smooth transition.

By focusing on these aspects of your mindset and emotional preparedness, you can approach your business exit with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. It is important to remember that a successful exit is not just about the financial outcome; it's about transitioning to a fulfilling next chapter in your life.

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Before embarking on this transformative journey, it's imperative to engage in profound introspection. And a key part of that introspection is recognizing that the financial aspect extends beyond the headline number of your potential payout. In the world of tech startups, where future potential often eclipses current reality, this is particularly crucial.

Ask yourself these pivotal questions:

✨ What personal aspirations will a successful exit fulfill? Beyond the financial rewards – the upfront cash, equity in the acquirer, or potential earn-outs – what profound desires lie at the heart of your decision? Is it about securing a tranquil retirement, embarking on a new entrepreneurial pursuit, or simply reclaiming your time and autonomy? Delving into the "why" beyond the monetary aspect will fortify you for the emotional complexities inherent in the process and empower you to make decisions that resonate with your deepest motivations.

✨ What is the realistic market value of my business, stripped of emotional attachment? Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you clinging to an inflated valuation that the market simply won't support? Are you prepared to invest in rigorous, independent valuations to gain an objective and unbiased assessment? Detachment from sentimentality is crucial for a successful negotiation. Remember that factors like the time value of money – a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow – and potential hidden costs can significantly impact the true value of an offer.

✨ Am I genuinely prepared to relinquish control of my creation? Exiting your business necessitates ceding authority, potentially witnessing your vision evolve in unforeseen ways. Can you embrace this transition with equanimity? Or do you harbor a desire for continued influence that might impede a clean and decisive exit? Your ability to let go will be a key determinant of success, especially when complex deal structures might tie you to the company for a period post-acquisition.

✨ How will I ensure my business is optimally positioned to attract discerning buyers? Go beyond meticulously prepared financials. Are your operational processes streamlined and efficient? Is your team cohesive, motivated, and poised for continued success? Remember, you're not merely selling assets; you're selling a thriving entity with a promising future. Your legacy depends on it. And in the tech world, demonstrating a clear path to realizing that future potential is essential.

✨ What are my non-negotiable elements in a deal, the lines I will not cross? Is it an unwavering adherence to a specific valuation, the preservation of the company's unique culture, or the guaranteed continuity of your team? Clearly defining your dealbreakers early on will streamline the process and safeguard you from potentially painful concessions. Consider not just the headline number but also the deal structure, payment terms, and any conditions attached to future payouts.

✨ Have I formulated a comprehensive plan for the next chapter, for life beyond the enterprise? The sudden transition from the dynamic role of founder to...what comes next? can be disorienting. Having a clear vision for your future will ensure a smoother, more fulfilling transition and prevent the sense of adriftness that can sometimes accompany a major life change. Factor in the time it might take to finalize the deal and any ongoing involvement required post-acquisition.

Exiting your business is far more than a mere transaction; it's a profound and defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey. By confronting these questions with honesty and clarity, and by understanding the nuances of the financial landscape, you'll be empowered to navigate the complexities, overcome the inevitable challenges, and ultimately, forge a path that aligns with your deepest personal and professional aspirations.

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The world of business is witnessing a paradigm shift, where the dynamics of teamwork are evolving at an unprecedented pace. Through my experience, I've seen firsthand how the illusion of "teaming" can often mask underlying dysfunctionalities, hindering true collective performance.

Many teams operate as mere groups, providing an illusion of teaming, and falling short of their potential. To unlock true team performance, organizations need to focus not just on individual capabilities but on the complex interplay of factors that enable a team to function cohesively and achieve extraordinary results.

So, how can we move beyond the illusion of 'teaming' and create truly high-performing teams?

In my experience, I've found that taking the time to reflect on these essential aspects of teamwork can be a valuable starting point for building high-performing teams:

• How clearly defined and motivating is our team's purpose, and to what extent does it align and unite us?

• How well-defined are roles and responsibilities within the team, and how consistently are they understood by everyone?

• In what ways do we foster a culture of performance, and how effectively are excellence and achievements recognized and rewarded?

• How well do the skills and expertise within our team match the requirements for achieving our goals, and where might we have gaps or opportunities for development?

• To what extent are tasks clear, well-structured, and accompanied by clear lines of accountability? How can we foster a greater sense of ownership and accountability across the team?

• What steps do we take to build strong relationships and cultivate a psychologically safe environment within the team?

• How effectively do we collaborate as a team, sharing information and leveraging each other's strengths? 

• How well do we embrace and leverage the diversity within our team, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard?

• To what extent do we have a high level of trust within the team, and how openly do we communicate and embrace vulnerability?

• In what ways does our leadership inspire and empower team members?

To move beyond the illusion of "teaming" towards true collaborative synergy, it requires intentionality, commitment, and willingness. It is not enough to simply assemble a group of talented individuals. It's about moving beyond individual brilliance and recognizing the power of collective intelligence. It's about creating an environment where collaboration thrives, and the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards – in terms of performance, capability, and ultimately, success – are immeasurable.

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First, there's the often-overlooked key to remote team success: building genuine human connections. When you don't share a physical space, it's easy to forget there are real people behind those Slack avatars. Encourage informal virtual gatherings, not just structured meetings. A dedicated "watercooler" chat channel, team-building games, or even celebrating a colleague's birthday remotely can build the kind of camaraderie that fosters trust and willingness to go the extra mile. Ask yourself: Have I created virtual equivalents of those spontaneous office encounters that foster a sense of belonging?

Clarity of communication is more vital than ever when your team is distributed. Set crystal clear expectations for projects, deadlines, and even individual availability during work hours, respecting different time zones. A good question to ponder: What assumptions am I making about my team's understanding of my instructions? Are there ways to get greater confirmation and alignment?

Technology is your best ally. Embrace tools designed for remote team collaboration – from project management platforms to real-time document editing. These provide much-needed transparency into the workflow and prevent the "out of sight, out of mind" problem.

Here's where founders must take extra care: It's tempting to fall into a pattern of constant check-ins when you can't physically "see" what your team is doing. This can breed micromanagement. Instead, focus on results and create a culture of accountability. Provide timely, constructive feedback, celebrating successes and helping to course-correct when needed. This builds trust far more effectively than constant surveillance.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do I balance transparency with avoiding micromanagement in a remote team setting?

• How can we better brainstorm what specific tech tools are there, that could significantly improve our team's communication and collaboration?

• How do I recognize and celebrate the unique strengths of remote team members, even if I don't interact with them face-to-face?

The beautiful paradox of a successful remote team is that distance can bring you closer together. It demands a level of intentionality in communication, trust-building, and process that can elevate your team's dynamic beyond what's even possible within a traditional office.

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The signs of burnout can be insidious. Are you constantly irritable, struggling to focus, or feeling a deep sense of cynicism? Those aren't mere personality flaws; they're your body and mind sending an SOS signal. It's easy to brush them aside, whispering "I'll rest when we hit the next milestone…" But those milestones always seem to be just out of reach.

Prevention is always better than the scramble to recover. Here's where I coach founders to make proactive shifts:

• Redefine "Hustle": The startup world sometimes glorifies an unhealthy, unsustainable pace. True hustle means working smart, not just working endlessly. Ask yourself: Am I confusing constant activity with actual progress?

• Boundaries Matter: The always-connected era blurs the lines, but you desperately need off-time. Set non-negotiable hours for sleep, unplugging, and activities that replenish your energy.

• The Delegate Mindset: Founders often feel they must do it all. This is a recipe for disaster. Build processes to hand off what you can, freeing yourself for what only you can do.

• Community as Lifeline: Find other founders to confide in. The empathy and understanding from those in the same trenches will be invaluable. Ask yourself: Do I have a support network to share the burdens of leadership?

Founder burnout doesn't just impact you; it ripples through your entire team and can sabotage your company's long-term success. That's why self-care isn't a luxury, it's a strategic necessity.

Reflection Questions:

• In what ways do I unknowingly contribute to my own burnout?

• Do I recognize the early signs of burnout in myself, or do I tend to power through until I crash?

• What is one non-negotiable change I will implement this week to protect my well-being?

• Am I modeling the work-life balance I'd like to see in my team?

• Could we dedicate time in a team meeting to openly discuss stress and coping mechanisms?

A  slightly slower pace now might be exactly what fuels your startup's long-distance victory. And asking for help it's a sign of a leader committed to the long-term success of themselves and their company.

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As a mentor working with tech startups, I've seen firsthand how mentorship transforms a founder's journey. Here's why it's so powerful:

• The Blind Spot Detector: Even the most self-aware founders have areas where they lack perspective. A mentor can help you uncover patterns you may be missing, helping you make faster and better-informed decisions.

• An Outsider's Clarity: When you're immersed in the details, it's easy to lose perspective. A mentor brings an objective eye, helping you cut through the noise and see the bigger picture.

• The Permission to be Human: A mentorship space is safe for revealing doubts and anxieties you might feel pressure to hide elsewhere. A qualified mentor is trained and has experience in working with coping strategies that preserve your mental well-being.

• Accountability with Compassion: A mentor pushes you beyond your comfort zone, but also provides the support needed when self-doubt creeps in. This delicate balance is crucial for growth.

Seeking a mentor is a sign of strength, not weakness.  Here's how to find the right fit:

• Credentials That Matter: Seek mentors who can provide an experienced sounding board and if they have relevant professional qualifications in mentorship or coaching, it's even more valuable because:

  • They understand the dynamics of the mentor-mentee relationship: Qualified mentors possess skills in active listening, powerful questioning, and creating safe spaces for exploration, all of which make mentoring sessions more productive.

  • They have a toolkit of proven techniques: Their training for reputable coaching or mentorship certifications (ICF, EMCC) has equipped them with methods to help you uncover your own solutions, break down complex problems, and challenge limiting beliefs.

  • They provide a structured growth experience: Mentors with coaching backgrounds often work with specific frameworks, ensuring a focused and results-oriented mentorship journey.

• A Focus on You: The mentorship relationship should be about empowering your growth, not about your mentor's ego or agenda.

• Look Beyond the Obvious: Mentors don't have to be from your exact niche. Someone from a different industry can bring fresh perspectives that challenge your assumptions.

• The Chemistry Factor: Trust your instincts. Do you feel comfortable being open with this person? Do you genuinely respect their insights?

Questions for Reflection:

• What are specific areas of my business where I'd most benefit from an experienced outsider's perspective?

• Have I been hesitant to seek mentorship because it feels like "admitting weakness"?

• Am I ready to be challenged, to hear feedback that might be difficult, but ultimately for my own growth?

• Have I considered what I can offer to a mentor to make this a mutually beneficial relationship?

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Heurlin's story is one of navigating the intricate dynamics between intuition and logic, financial constraints and personal well-being, and the ever-present need to make timely decisions even when emotions run high. Through powerful questions and personal anecdotes, she invites us to reflect on our own approaches to investing and leadership.

Here are some key takeaways from Heurlin's insights:

• Don't just fall for the technology, fall for the people: While a compelling product is essential, Heurlin emphasizes the importance of trusting the team behind it. Their passion, resilience, and collaborative spirit can be stronger indicators of success than mere technological prowess.

• Embrace the learning curve, but ask questions openly: The startup journey is riddled with uncertainties. Heurlin encourages fellow investors to be curious, ask probing questions, and seek diverse perspectives to mitigate blind spots and make informed decisions.

• Emotional intelligence is key: Recognizing your own emotional biases and those of others is crucial for navigating complex situations with fellow investors and founders. Open communication and empathy go a long way in building trust and fostering productive partnerships.

• Decisions need not be perfect, but they must be timely: Hesitation can be costly in the fast-paced world of startups. While careful consideration is essential, Heurlin advocates making decisions promptly, even when faced with uncertainties, to avoid missing valuable opportunities.

• Leaving an investment can be emotionally challenging: Financial considerations are important, but Heurlin acknowledges the emotional impact of exiting a venture. Balancing personal values, family well-being, and the potential for future success requires a nuanced approach.

The Emotional Maze for Founders: Lessons Learned from the Other Side

Having spent years working with founders and teams seeking investment, I've witnessed firsthand the emotional rollercoaster they navigate. The pressure to secure funding, the fear of rejection, and the constant uncertainty about the future can be overwhelming. Yet, Heurlin's insights resonate deeply from this side of the table as well.

Founders, just like investors, need to recognize and manage their emotional biases. Self-doubt can cloud judgment, while overconfidence can lead to risky decisions. Embracing open communication and vulnerability with investors fosters trust and understanding, creating a more collaborative environment for navigating challenges. Remember, investors are human too, and their decisions are often influenced by emotions alongside logic.

Heurlin's emphasis on timely decision-making is equally applicable to founders. While seeking feedback and iterating is crucial, analysis paralysis can be fatal. Learn to gather the necessary information, make well-informed choices, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Finally, Heurlin's reminder that leaving an investment can be emotionally challenging applies to founders as well. Letting go of a struggling venture, even when necessary, can be difficult. But remember, it's often a chance to learn, regroup, and emerge stronger for the next opportunity.

By understanding the emotional landscape on both sides of the table, founders and investors can build stronger relationships, make sounder decisions, and navigate the startup ecosystem with greater empathy and effectiveness.

Listen to the full interview:

To delve deeper into Heurlin's insights and gain valuable perspectives from her experiences, listen to the full episode of "Lessons Learned: From Emotions to Decisions: Ulla Heurlin's Path in Angel Investing." [Podcast link]

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Understanding what your employees are saying is only half the battle when it comes to identifying the real problem at hand.

Through my expertise, I share how coaching your employees can help them figure out what the true issue is and come up with effective solutions.

The Benefits of Encouraging Problem-Solving through a Coaching Approach

As part of my coaching sessions with founders, we take some time to explore the benefits of encouraging problem-solving through a coaching approach before we dive deep into how to coach their employees to identify the real problem. The "why" and motivation of founders are impacted by that.

When it comes to boosting problem-solving in the workplace, there are multiple benefits. By incorporating a coaching approach, employees are encouraged to solve problems on their own and that can strengthen feelings of ownership and pride concerning their work. If employees feel like they are constantly being told what to do without any opportunity to use their own critical thinking skills, they will eventually become indifferent and apathetic in their role. Moreover, it can lead to more creative and innovative solutions to problems as opposed to outdated, short-term fixes often implemented previously.

By implementing a coaching approach to problem-solving, your business can save both time and money while enhancing employee morale as well. If you want your business to run smoothly and efficiently, it is important to encourage and enable your employees to problem-solve on their own.

Coaching Your Employees to Think Deeper

There are times when the problem your employees are facing is not the real problem.

The real problem may be deeper, there may be underlying issues that are causing the symptoms they are experiencing. As a founder and leader, it's important to enhance your coaching skills to help your teams identify the real problem so they can address it effectively.

In my coaching sessions with founders, we explore several approaches, such as asking better open-ended questions. Instead of asking yes or no questions, we explore various question scenarios that could encourage employees to explore all of the possible causes of the problem. In many cases, it has been helpful to explore with founders how the situation or problem impacts different stakeholders. When coaching founders, I often ask them: What will each stakeholder want or need from this situation? How might their perspective influence the outcome? In the process, I was not only able to provide one on one sessions with founders, but also coached teams that helped them better understand their own strengths and weaknesses. The idea of bringing an external coach for workplace challenges has been embraced by many founders as it enabled each team member to explore more deeply into the problem and find creative solutions. Moreover, this approach enabled better collaboration between teams, which ultimately lead to enhanced performance.

Some of these activities I conducted with the founders included providing insight into the importance of understanding root causes, problem-solving techniques and methods to identify opportunities for improvement. We also spent time discussing how effective communication can help teams tackle challenges and reach consensus in difficult situations. Additionally, we would discuss how to create an environment where ideas can be openly discussed without fear or hesitation, as this is essential for innovation and creativity within any team.

Our coaching sessions have helped founders become better equipped to coach their employees to think deeper and to encourage them to consider all of the information they have and to look at the bigger picture. By improving their coaching skills, founders have helped their teams to identify any blind spots that might be preventing them from seeing the real problem. Through our collective efforts, the companies could prepare its employees better and drive towards achieving long-term success.

Closing Thoughts 

Encouraging your employees to look closer at the problem at hand by using a coaching approach can be an overarching principle for problem-solving. As a result, founders and their teams can have productive problem-solving conversations, revealing the real issues within the business, and leading to a more constructive work environment.

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I am Ana Stoica, Founder of Meliora.

Join me in this 30 minutes audio event as we explore the intersections between self-leadership and values.

Listen in, raise your hand and share your thoughts. We will have an online private space for conversation, as the event is not recorded, cameras are off and the participants’ list is hidden.

You can even choose from multiple dates and times for this event or join the waiting list to be notified about future events.

Register your participation through Meliora Growth and discover other events that might be of interest to you.

See you then!

Leadership is an ability that can be learned.

No matter who you are or what you do, developing leadership skills might be life-changing.

I invite you to join ‘Pathfinder’, a Leadership Development Programme, to spark your own growth and career development.

If you are a professional keen to develop your leadership skills but feel finances are what is holding you back, this is a great opportunity to pay by donation.

Various companies around the world have hired me to assist hundreds of employees in their leadership journeys. Now, I am opening ‘Pathfinder’, as a way of lifting up those who need support in these challenging times and as an opportunity for professionals who are keen on expanding their leadership skills. This is my own way of giving back to create extraordinary change for as many people as possible. I believe that there is magical energy in the gift of giving. In particular, I get so much energy from coaching ambitious and less fortunate young professionals, assisting them to navigate their careers.

How it works

2024 Cohort is open!

• Firstly, schedule a 30 minutes General Introduction.

  Let’s connect and get to know each other, for me to understand your leadership goals, challenges, opportunities and for you to get a sense of how we could work together to achieve your desired results. We will determine if working together is a good fit and if we both say ‘yes’ we will plan the start date of your program.

• Next, you will embark on the 3-5 weeks of the ‘Pathfinder’ Leadership Development Programme, with 30 minutes of coaching conversations, every 1-2 weeks, assisting you to discover where you are and where you want to go in your leadership journey and how you might get there. We will co-create your "way forward" roadmap each time we meet, gaining new levels of awareness and motivation.

If you are a tech founder foreseeing a growing team, I am delighted to invite you to join Meliora Growth

What is Leadership?

Here are some leadership quotes to inspire you and together we might explore how these can apply to your real world.

What is Coaching?

One of my favourite quotes about coaching is:

“Coaching isn't therapy. It's product development, with you as the product.” ( Fast Company)

Coaching gives you the tools, support, and structure to accomplish more. It’s a partnership between you and your coach that inspires and supports you to be and do greater things.

Coaches are thought partners that use a variety of tools, approaches, and techniques to help you achieve your desired results. However, your results are ultimately up to you.

With coaching, the belief is that everyone has the answers within themselves, they just need help accessing and identifying them. A coaching session includes a coach asking you thought-provoking questions until you come to the answer yourself. Ultimately, you are the expert on your life. It’s up to you to reflect upon the questions to move forward. Coaching is very effective when you are stuck or need clarity personally or professionally. It’s also great for keeping you focused, taking action, and accountable.

Coaching is not therapy. Therapy looks at the underlying causes of emotional pain, dysfunction and mental health problems. It tends to deal more with the past. Coaching focuses on the future and encourages personal and professional development.

What is Leadership - Taking notes with online mindmaps from MindMeister

Photo by John Thomas on Unsplash

2020 was the year of developing my coaching and mentoring business: working with founders who are looking to launch and scale, supporting teams to develop the critical skills needed to build better businesses and to get ready to raise investment.

January was when my business was incorporated, planning to take a holiday in February and expanding shortly after. The holiday was such a memorable blessing, traveling to Spain and Portugal, walking more than 100k steps and changing numerous flights to visit stunning places. It gave me the boost of energy for coping with the unexpected challenges of the pandemic, as well as with starting on my business adventure.

In the context of these unprecedented times, I was able to find two sources of strength. Firstly, this was my second business to be developed in times of crisis and consequently I was well prepared, being able to overcome my initial doubts. Secondly, the pandemic brought opportunities for people to interact massively via online channels, which matched my envisioned way of doing business.

In May I joined the International Coaching Federation initiative, “We care about you”, supporting the business community through online coaching sessions. With the purpose of supporting startup founders to shift from survival and short-term successes towards long-term value creation, I have created my own pro bono coaching programs. In addition, I have coached employees to improve their skills for different ways of working such as communication skills, managing priorities, productivity, leadership. Furthermore, I have participated in numerous online events, sharing expertise with professionals from around the world.

Since 2020, I have been privileged to become part of the network of support of several founders and organisations. I have worked on various exciting projects, my favourite one being on sustainability, ‘How to start with building a positive impact business’, with a  focus on SDG 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure. 

Moreover, I have been fortunate to work with people from various places from USA, Pakistan, Japan or Belgium.

Finally, what an amazing learning journey it has been!  Most importantly, I have learned to slow down to speed up and I have also learned to strengthen my Sage.

The journey has been exceptionally rewarding so far and I am looking forward to continuing my support for founders and organisations across the globe, as a trusted partner along the way.