COACHING ROI + FAQs
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Get Radical Clarity with an objective party, a sounding board that holds a mirror up and addresses your blind spots.
Grow at Venture Speed with an experienced leader who has succeeded in the founder + investor seats.
Get it done now with a combination of tactical support/introductions + sage advice on navigating complex interpersonal dynamics in the venture-backed startup context.
Optimize your growth with personalized coaching.
What is the ROI of EXECUTIVE COACHING?
How Coaching Enhances Organizational Performance: Key ROI Statistics
Coaching in organization and leadership settings is also an invaluable tool for developing people across a wide range of needs. The benefits of coaching are many; 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. 86% of companies report that they recouped their investment on coaching and more (source: ICF 2009).
There is a strong correlation between coaching and increased employee engagement, with 72% of respondents in the 2023 ICF HCI Defining New Coaching Cultures report acknowledging this relationship.
From the ICF report, it’s also evident that employees at every level appreciate coaching, with high approval from both senior executives (78%) and employees (73%).I
A global survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Association Resource Center report an average ROI of seven times the cost of employing a coach.
“In certain tech circles, in fact, not having a coach is the aberration. Reddit’s Ohanian, in 2019, proudly told a reporter that his “personal board of directors” included Garry Tan, the president and chief executive of Y Combinator; Serena Williams; and Carnochan. Ohanian then added that any executive who thinks he doesn’t need coaching must think he is not just the Tom Brady of his industry, or the LeBron James or the Serena Williams, but that he’s better than that.”
FAQs
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Coaching isn’t consulting, mentoring, or therapy, although it is related to all of these disciplines. I strive to oJer the right balance of challenge and support to founders, which is diJerent for every client and may change from one conversation to the next in service of their ambitions. I specialize in working with leaders who are responsible for building a culture within a team and view coaching as a strategy to help them accomplish this task more eJectively. This usually involves exploring how the leader is contributing (or detracting) from the culture they are hoping to stabilize.
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I coach emerging leaders and startup leaders who are facing a series of challenges or seeking greater fulfillment in their roles. Over the course of my career, I have advised and conducted 3000+ coaching sessions with more than 800 companies and organizations. Most of my clients are technology company CEOs and senior leaders, but I work with leaders across industries from private equity, venture capital to government and professional sports.
I am especially drawn to professionally ambitious individuals who are also interested in making the world a more awesome place for humans.
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The annual cost of a typical engagement in my coaching practice ranges between $5K and $20K. The client controls the cost by determining our meeting cadence, and my fee per session is $450 (55 minutes per session). I bill on a monthly basis via a single invoice emailed directly to a client or to their Accounts Payable address. A limited number of seats are available at sliding scale for emerging talent, non-profit leaders, or just really cool people (who love dogs).
I also offer a small group peer coaching programs. The cost of peer groups ranges from $200-$300 per session. Seats go quickly and are limited.
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Yes. CoachSK works with founders to raise venture capital / private capital. These engagements includes tailored support on every aspect of the fundraise strategy and execution. I often make warm introductions to investors and colleagues whenever possible + appropriate. I combine the emotional agility skill development of leadership coaching with the practical needs of a fundraise down to reviewing cap tables, pro formas, data rooms, and pitch decks. Startup Fundraise Coaching requires 1:1 interview with CoachSK, fees vary.
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“Coaching is one of the most effective leadership styles that can transform, empower and unlock people’s potential. Ask more, give advice less, and elevate your impact forever.” – Farshad Asl
Coaching will involve surfacing your assumptions and preconceptions, questioning your interpretation of events, and challenging you to take responsibility for your contributions to the situation. Coaching begins with empathetic listening, but it absolutely does not stop there.
I will challenge my clients, ensuring that they know I’m doing so with their best interests at heart. I am always in my client’s corner. However, when I’m providing support, I will always be candid and direct, holding space for where the client wants to be personally and professionally.
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Therapy achieves personal growth via relationship.
Coaching achieves personal growth via startup.
Coaching isn't consulting, mentoring, or therapy, although it's related to all of those disciplines. One difference is that in those relationships you're often seeking answers from an expert.
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Look for a coach that has BOTH coaching training and certification in addition to the practical work/life experience that is relevant to your key questions. The number of coaching hours makes a big difference.
Some in the coaching industry believe that a coach does not need to have any awareness of your professional life or industry dynamics. I totally disagree. As a former founder, venture capitalist, and executive— I craved a coach that understood what I was experiencing and the dynamics of the industry. I did not want to explain every nuance.
10 sets of questions to consider when CHOOSING your coach:
1. Trust
Do I feel a baseline sense of trust with this person?
Have they demonstrated a willingness to be real with me?
2. Approach
Do they strike the right balance for me between organic and structured?
How far can they flex in either direction?
3. Advocacy
Is this person "in my corner" AND willing to challenge me?
Can they be compassionate AND help hold me accountable?
4. Mission
Why are they a coach?
How did they wind up on this path?
Is their answer compelling or meaningful to me?
5. Experience
How do they leverage their experience?
Can they see larger patterns among their clients AND see me as an individual?
6. Discernment
Can they say why they're not a good fit for every client?
Can they say why they might not be a good fit for me?
7. Selectivity
What clients have they turned down and why?
Under what circumstances would they work with those clients?
8. Self-Development
Is this person working on their own development as well?
Have they been coached?
Do they have a coach now?
9. Growth
Can they talk about their growth as a coach?
What have they learned from their successes and their failures?
10. Boundaries
Can they articulate the differences and similarities among coaching, consulting, mentoring, advisory and therapy?
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Evidence-based Research on the Effectiveness of Coaching from the Institute of Coaching.
In the past few years a number of studies have been conducted that clearly demonstrate the value, efficacy, and impact of coaching in a number of contexts. For more information, please see the following articles on the specific benefits of leadership coaching, health and wellness coaching, and positive psychology.