I’ll be honest: when I first started at Splended, I didn’t really understand what I was in for. I thought I could figure things out on my own, like many founders do. But as the company grew and the complexity of my role expanded, I realized that having an objective, experienced guide to lean on wasn’t a luxury—it was essential.
As a founder, leader, or CEO, you’re often expected to have all the answers. You’re the driving force behind your company’s vision, the one people look to for direction and confidence, especially in times of uncertainty.
Coaching has helped me not only manage the stresses of founding a company, but also learn a more empowering way to talk to myself. It’s provided me with clarity when I’ve been overwhelmed, support when I’ve felt uncertain, and the confidence to lead my company through both the smooth and turbulent times.
But let’s be real: Building a business is a complex, unpredictable undertaking. I’ve been there. I am there, right now, in fact. The road from an idea on paper to scaling a business stage by stage is full of highs, lows, and countless pivots—and it’s often more stressful than we care to admit.
The Challenges of Developing a Business Stage by Stage
When you start a business, everything is fresh, exciting, and full of potential. You’re immersed in the whirlwind of creativity and possibility. But as you start moving from concept to reality, challenges emerge. Early-stage startups face hurdles like validating the product-market fit, securing initial funding, and finding the right talent. You wear many hats, from being the visionary to the marketer, developer, and salesperson.
Then comes the growth stage. At this point, it feels like you’re sprinting while juggling—managing scaling, customer acquisition, cash flow, and team dynamics. The stakes get higher, the complexity increases, and suddenly, what worked in the early stages no longer does. The weight of responsibility grows heavier, and decision fatigue sets in. You’re no longer just building a product; you’re building a company.
Throughout these stages, one thing becomes clear: “the skills that got you here won’t necessarily get you there”. Leadership in a startup evolves as quickly as the company itself. This constant pressure and need to adapt can leave founders feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and burnt out. I’ve seen it happen to so many, and I’ve sometimes felt it myself. That’s why I’m a firm believer in the power of coaching for startup leaders.
Why Coaching Matters for Founders and Leaders
Coaching offers something that founders don’t always get from investors, mentors, or even peers—a safe, objective space to reflect, explore challenges, and grow as a leader. Here’s why I believe it’s so valuable:
Clarity and Focus
As a founder, you’re inundated with decisions, from strategic directions to daily operational issues. It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture in the chaos. A coach helps you step back, regain clarity, and prioritize what matters most. Coaching provides you with structured time to reflect on your vision, make intentional decisions, and focus on the areas that will drive the business forward.
Emotional Support and Resilience
Founding a startup can be a lonely endeavour, especially as the company grows and you take on more responsibility. The stress of managing a team, securing funding, and scaling quickly can take a toll on your mental health. A coach helps you build emotional resilience, providing a space to discuss the stresses and emotions that come with leadership. In my own experience, having someone to talk to about the weight of sales and productization has been invaluable in maintaining my energy and focus.
Improving Leadership Skills
I’m sure we all aspire to be great leaders. In the early days, you might have led a small, tight-knit team, but as you scale, you need to become more strategic and less operational. Coaching helps you develop the leadership mindset needed for each new phase of growth—whether that’s improving communication, learning to delegate more effectively, or managing larger, more diverse teams.
Devilish Uncertainty
Startups thrive in uncertainty, but that doesn’t make it any less daunting for those at the helm. Whether it’s dealing with market shifts, competitive pressures, or internal challenges, leaders must constantly make decisions with incomplete information. A coach can help you alleviate that uncertainty by acting as a sounding board, challenging your assumptions, and guiding you toward more thoughtful, strategic decisions.
Personal Growth
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a CEO is that personal growth goes hand-in-hand with business growth. As you stretch yourself to lead a company through its various stages, you’re inevitably going to face personal challenges—whether it’s overcoming imposter syndrome, handling conflict, or managing stress. Coaching helps you grow not only as a leader but as a person, providing you with tools to better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots.
Coaching Isn’t a Quick Fix—It’s a Long-Term Investment
If you’re a founder or leader in the middle of a growth phase, I encourage you to consider coaching. It’s not a quick fix for the challenges you’ll face, but it is a long-term investment in your ability to grow your business and lead with confidence.
At Splended, we’re all about supporting founders in the tech space. I know firsthand how eye-opening coaching can be, and I believe that, like me, you’ll find the support and growth you need to open your startup’s next chapter.