Case Study
Background
The CEO of a private equity-backed startup was navigating a period of rapid expansion. As a first-time CEO who had been with the company since its early stages, she had played a pivotal role in its growth. While she had strong foundational business knowledge and an MBA, she didn’t have extensive formal leadership training she might have gotten had she worked in a large company. She was seeking a long-term coaching partnership to help her grow and navigate the complex leadership challenges that come with scaling a company.
Approach
The coaching engagement centered around supporting the CEO through the challenges of leading in rapid growth. A significant portion of the work involved strategic problem solving and decision-making, providing a safe, reflective space and seasoned insights to help her navigate crucial moments for the business. Eric also helped her tackle leadership team challenges, advising on interpersonal dynamics and helping her manage critical team members. Additionally, Eric served as a strategic thought partner in communication strategies, helping her gain clarity on crucial issues and strategize the best ways to communicate with her company.
Results
The CEO gained:
- A trusted, independent advisor providing a safe space to help unpack complex situations during the ups and downs of hyper growth
- Increased confidence to lead through surprising developments inside and outside the company
- Improved speed and quality of decision making
- A toolkit of leadership perspectives, best practices and strategies gleaned from Eric’s work at companies of various sizes and stages
- Improved stakeholder relationships, particularly with key partners, which contributed to the company’s stability and growth
- Improved internal communication strategies, ensuring the company stayed aligned and cohesive during critical phases
- A successful exit, delivering a substantial return for the private equity investors