Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Mar 24Member-onlyBuild a Powerful Cofounder Partnership with the Sound Relationship House Theory9 ways to improve communication, teamwork, and decision-making with your business partner. — For the past 30 years, the Gottman Institute has been studying the dynamics of relationships, drawing insights from over 40,000 couples. This extensive research has led to the creation of one of the most comprehensive theories for what makes marriages thrive — the Sound Relationship House Theory. As a Licensed…Startup6 min readStartup6 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Mar 1Member-onlyThe Truth Behind 8 Common Myths on Cofounder ConflictNavigating business partner arguments is more difficult when teams can’t separate fact from fiction. — Many entrepreneurs recognize the shocking statistic made famous by Noam Wasserman: 65% of high-growth startups fail due to cofounder conflict. But many have not read his book and do not understand how he arrived at this conclusion. Wasserman pulled data from a 1989 study by Gorman and Sahlman, who surveyed…Startup7 min readStartup7 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Jun 21, 2022Member-onlyHow To Identify (And Fix) The 9 Core Causes of Cofounder ConflictIf you want to end recurring disagreements, you need to understand the deeper issues creating problems for your team — Hundreds of cofounders contact me each year to help them improve their team’s functioning and communication. But the superficial topics of disagreement often conceal the deeper origin of their difficulties. The most common disagreements cofounders experience include issues with equity and compensation, roles and responsibilities, vision and strategic alignment, problems…Founders7 min readFounders7 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Jun 2, 2022Member-onlyThis Is How The Highest-Performing Cofounding Teams Create Efficient Conversations (and Reduce Conflict)Practicing this framework helps founding teams focus on desired outcomes rather than getting stuck in chaotic discussions. — Teaching hundreds of founding teams how to navigate conflicts more effectively revealed a key tool most founders overlook when engaging in mission-critical conversations. To explain this tool in more detail, I would like you to picture the Mona Lisa. While you may imagine Mona Lisa’s famous smile, you might forget…Startup4 min readStartup4 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·May 17, 2022Member-onlyWhat Cofounder Coaching Reveals About Power in Founding TeamsTrust is the antidote all cofounders need to build successful companies and relationships with team members. — Power is present in all cofounder teams, but how power is experienced and expressed is unique to each partnership. As a licensed psychologist coaching cofounders to navigate conflicts more effectively, I often identify power struggles and help arm founders with the tools and frameworks they need to address them.Startup6 min readStartup6 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Apr 28, 2022Member-onlyThe 6 Most Common Cofounder Arguments (and What They Reveal About The Cause of Cofounder Conflict)How to identify and fix the root cause of most disagreements — Cofounder conflict is one of the most preventable mission-critical problems facing founding teams. Strain between cofounders increases burnout, decreases focus, and disrupts founders’ ability to create a healthy culture. Previous research shows 65% of high-growth startups fail due to cofounder-related issues and while most investors understand the importance of this…Startup5 min readStartup5 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Apr 21, 2022Member-onlyDo Not Ignore These 9 Unexpected Signs of Cofounder Conflict (Here’s What to Do Instead)Founding teams reduce conflict through intentional conversations with a cofounder coach. — Cofounder conflict is responsible for 65% of high-potential startups failing to achieve their mission. It is also preventable. Cofounder coaching is the leading service to prevent and treat cofounder strain by teaching founders the skills required to navigate conflicts more effectively and rebuild trust after periods of difficulty.Entrepreneurship4 min readEntrepreneurship4 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Apr 19, 2022Member-onlyThe Most Undervalued Skill Cofounders Use To Reduce ConflictListening for Understanding is the foundation to optimal outcomes — Cofounder conflict is a preventable problem. As a coach who has worked with founding teams over the last five years, I noticed the unfortunate truth that most founders overlook the importance of building a foundation of clear communication from day one leading to problems once growth- and board-related pressures increase. …Founders6 min readFounders6 min read
Published in Entrepreneur's Handbook·Apr 12, 2022Member-onlyThe First Skill Cofounders Need For More Productive Conflict ManagementWhy cofounder coaching focuses on adding skills to improve difficult conversations. — The difference between the highest performing founding teams and everyone else is not an absence of conflict — it’s that the top-performing teams have learned to navigate conflicts more effectively. This statement is not speculation — it’s based on five-plus years of experience I have coaching hundreds of founding teams…Founders6 min readFounders6 min read
Published in Better Entrepreneur·Jan 13, 2022Member-onlyDifferent Types of Cofounder Coaches: Which Is Best For You?Read this article to understand which type of cofounder coaching program is right for your founding team. — Cofounder coaching is an emerging category of services empowering cofounders to improve communication, teamwork, and execution. However, each coach has a unique approach and method, meaning cofounder coaching can take many forms. As a founder, it can be difficult and time consuming to find the right coach for your situation.Founders5 min readFounders5 min read
