Is there something that start-up founders need to learn?

Do startup founders need coaching?

For a start-up founder, it is quite normal to feel overwhelmed with high expectations of people around. The kind of challenges that they deal with on an everyday basis can test even the most seasoned professionals. Believe it or not, it DOES get really lonely at the top. But the good news is that they don’t have to go through all of this alone. Entrepreneurs can benefit from start-up coaching which will help them build their businesses more effectively. A start-up coach can help business founders unlock their full potential and navigate the intense ups and downs of their entrepreneurial journey. They can provide valuable insights to start-up founders based on their own business expertise (our favourite word). They can bring clarity to the founder’s vision and be an indispensable resource for a high-growth ecosystem.

How can business founders benefit from coaching?

“I’ve got a secret arsenal to ask for help when I need it – it’s very comforting as a solopreneur,”

is what the founder of a start-up food company had to say about the business coach she hired. A coach is not there to tell you what you need to do to take your start-up to the next level, instead, their focus is on identifying what you are not doing right.?They are there to provide you with an unbiased outside perspective about your business that can help you overcome your shortcomings as an entrepreneur.

Start-up coaches help business founders identify gaps in their leadership style, eventually helping them lead teams more effectively. They will help you see your blind spots clearly and unlock your self-imposed limits as an entrepreneur. They will check in with you regularly to make sure that you are progressing toward your ideal destination. The potential benefits of hiring a start-up coach are immense so if you want to take your start-up ecosystem to the next level, think no more and start looking for a coach that’s perfect for you.

What should founders consider before hiring a business coach?

Before hiring a business coach that’s right for you, have a clear understanding of their level of expertise and the type of client they have worked with previously. After carefully studying the CVs of the candidates, make sure you hire someone who is highly experienced and carry a diversified skill-set. A business coach who has industry knowledge and specialisation in your domain can become your start-up's biggest superpower. Make sure that the organisational values of you and your business coach are well-aligned. Lastly, never forget that the coach is there to transfer knowledge and help you avoid expensive mistakes, not to take decisions or run the business for you.?

Sunanda Banerjee, Head of Learning and Development at Passion Connect.