Grow your impact

We start each coaching programme by establishing clear goals and focus areas. This combines external goals (which should map closely to your company goals or personal goals at work) and internal goals (areas of mindset, confidence, self awareness) that you want to develop. The first coaching session is focused on clarifying these goals, with some homework to do in advance.

I measure impact on whether you reach both your external and internal goals.

I combine my experience as a product leader with proven coaching techniques, asking open questions to help you reflect, be challenged and grow. My unique background helps me be a true partner to you, and I’ll bring solutions and advice to the table when it’s useful.

I’ll think about sessions that might be useful for you, and proactively suggest these. This is different to many coaches who leave you to set the agenda each time.

We’ll start with a 90-minute session to define focus areas for coaching, and talk about a few potential sessions that might be useful.

We’ll then meet every two weeks for 60 minutes, defining the agenda together based on your focus areas. There tends to be more structure at the start, but as we work together for longer, sessions become more driven by your agenda.

I spend time each week thinking about your goals and what might be helpful. This might mean choosing a topic or suggesting an exercise to do together. I see coaching as a partnership, with both of us bringing ideas to the table.

I’ll provide space for you to talk honestly about the challenges you’re facing, helping you think clearly, get creative and interrogate problems from multiple angles. If there’s an area where you think you’re missing good baseline theory, I’ll do my best to send you resources.

While I’m generous with my experience and knowledge, I default to helping you figure things out as opposed to giving my opinion or advice. If you face a recurring challenge, it’s likely we’ll dive deeper into mindset, motivations and beliefs.

Product leaders of all kinds. If your title is founder, CPO, VP Product or Director of Product, then I’m probably a good fit for you. My current clientbase is a mix of new and experienced product leaders, working at companies from seed stage to series D.

I love working with people who want to invest in building a long-term partnership, and are keen to grow their impact, alongside deeper personal growth. My clients appreciate the balance of being able to tackle the details of strategy, alongside working on deeper mindset shifts and changes.

That said, I believe that it all comes down to chemistry. I recommend booking a free 30-minute consultation to see if we ‘click’ and if there’s a mutual feeling of trust, which is crucial to a good coaching relationship.

While I’m open to working with most people, there are a few exceptions. If any of the below points apply, I might not be the best coach for you right now:

• You only want to focus on the technical side of product craft.

• You’re looking for someone who gives you straight answers, like an advisor or educator. (While I bring an element of advisory into my coaching, I’ll also make you think and work hard.)

• You don’t want to do work between sessions.

• You’re only looking for one or two sessions.

• You’re early in your career and in a non-leadership role.

We’ll start with a 90-minute session to define focus areas for coaching. Part of this session involves establishing clear goals and areas of focus. This includes external goals (which should map closely to your company goals or personal goals at work) and internal goals (areas of mindset, confidence, self awareness).

I’ll help you shape these goals and focus areas. You have the ultimate say in what we focus on, but I’ll share suggestions and ideas if I think they’re useful. I’ll also help you decide what to focus on session by session. Again, it’s always your choice, but I help guide you through the process.

People often come to coaching with goals like:

• Creating a compelling vision

• Being creative with product strategy

• Setting clear and focused goals

• Hitting ambitious company goals

• Building a high-performing team (including managing underperformance)

• Building credibility with peers

To hit these goals, we often focus on personal growth areas like:

• Understanding how to play to your strengths

• Learning how to make hard changes

• Making sure you’re focusing on what really matters

• Personal vision: thinking about your career

• Achieving a more balanced mindset

Yes, I work with some leaders in other disciplines if they’re aligned to the way that I think about things, and I’m confident I can be a great partner.

If you don’t 100% fit my criteria but you’re keen to work together, get in touch. If I can’t help, I’ll send suggestions of other coaches who could be a good fit.

I love working with coaches that offer guidance and tactical support — as well as helping me find my own answers — so I’m keen to offer that to others. I know the rewards and challenges that come with product leadership roles, which helps me quickly build trust and empathy.

I like to be a true partner to people that I work with. If you’re stuck on a strategy problem, I’ll roll up my sleeves and help you through that situation. I need to have product skills and thinking to be able to do that.

I have worked with over 50 product leaders, which gives me wide exposure to a range of companies and product leadership pains. My goal isn’t to know as much about your product as you do — it’s to be a partner and offer a fresh perspective, without getting lost in the weeds.

Alongside my coaching work, I work hands-on as a product advisor. This helps to keep my head firmly in product, and ensures that I’m continually honing my skills and knowledge.