CEO-Founders are a unique breed. They are generally brilliant entrepreneurs who are looking to solve problems creatively without the burden of status quo solutions that traditional companies are saddled with. Early on, they come up with an amazing innovation, they attract a small group of talented team members, and raise capital. But success sometimes brings unwelcomed change. The hands on leadership approach that worked when the team was small and nimble is now viewed as intrusive or micro managing. The organization becomes dysfunctional. The pressure from investors grows. The impact on these pioneers is sometimes devastating. Coaching is becoming widely accepted as a potent remedy.

As a coach and speaker, I have the opportunity to meet with individuals from all walks of life who are on what I like to call the “learning S-curve.” At the low end of this curve is discomfort and excitement of the unknown, when individuals are still getting their feet wet and discovering what is expected. At the high end is mastery, confidence, and (sadly) dullness—when the challenge is gone, so is the spark.