Landing a good deal requires more than tactics. The right mindset and positioning are key to getting what you want. — As a CEO coach, I’m brought in to support CEOs on high-stakes negotiations such as complex funding rounds, co-founder departures, equity negotiations, M&A and even CEO compensation. They start by describing what the other party is asking for — often in a frustrated tone. …

Your management meeting is one of the most expensive regular meetings in your business. Here’s how to make it one of your most valuable. — Earlier this year, I started observing the management meetings of some of my fastest-growing CEOs. The companies they lead range from 50 to 500 employees — but each of the CEOs had similar concerns about their meetings: ‘They feel superficial’ ‘My managers don’t engage or challenge each other enough’

Investor relationships aren’t always champagne and ski trips. — As your business scales, you’ll inevitably face times when board dynamics become challenging. It’s not a matter of if but when. Your relationships with certain board members can consume your mental energy, and become a source of distraction and demotivation. Whether due to differences of opinion, expectations or working styles…

Last year, founders were measured by their ability to raise big funding rounds. This year, founders are being measured by their ability to achieve results with the resources they have. So, how can founders best support their teams in achieving more with less? I launched Founder Coach last October to…

Why other people’s emotions might not be about you — and your emotions might not be about them — ‘That’s irrational.’ ‘That’s stupid.’ ‘They’re making things difficult for the sake of it.’ When we encounter emotions and behaviours that don’t make sense to us, it’s often because we don’t have all the information. And in the absence of information, we tend to assume the worst. ‘Emotional generosity’ is the…

The operational tactics that fuel repeatable sales processes have many applications for founders. — Selling the dream is a key part of a founder’s job, whether that means convincing investors to invest, prospects to buy, or candidates to join the company. …

If you’re trying to do too much, here’s a simple solution. — What makes leadership team meetings trickier than they should be? That’s a question I’ve been asking a lot of CEOs, both on my podcast and my coaching programs. Frequent answers include: A lack of alignment over the objective of the meeting A lack of clarity over people’s roles A lack…

Successful strategy sessions tend to follow a common arc. — Most leadership teams come together for at least a few days each year to meet up as a team, align on the business strategy, and collaborate on the company’s biggest challenges. These meetings are often held offsite, as physical distance from day-to-day operations can make it easier to see the…

If you struggle with holding people to account, try this. — Being held to account for our decisions, actions, and results can drive high performance. It helps clarifies our commitments, increases our diligence, and improves our self-awareness. Most of us report to someone. For CEOs, it’s a board of directors. For others, it’s their manager or their coach. …