No, you don’t need to talk about your mom in cofounder coaching.

Many teams fear they have to “get too emotional” in sessions. If that is you, here’s what you need to know…

Why We Discuss Emotions

Purpose:

• Improve Communication: Emotions influence how we communicate. Understanding this helps in making communication clear and effective.
• Resolve Conflicts: Addressing emotional undercurrents can prevent conflicts from escalating and disrupting business operations.
• Enhance Decision-Making: Emotions can impact decision-making. Recognizing this can lead to more balanced and rational decisions.
• Build Stronger Teams: Healthy emotional dynamics create trust and cohesion, essential for a high-performing team.

Context and Goals:

• Context: Emotions are discussed in the context of their impact on business performance and team dynamics.
• Goals:
  • Identify and resolve underlying issues affecting productivity.
  • Improve interpersonal relationships to foster a positive work environment.
  • Enhance leadership skills and emotional intelligence for better team management.

What We Don’t Talk About

• Personal Therapy: Coaching sessions are not personal therapy sessions. The focus is on professional growth and team dynamics.
• Irrelevant Personal Details: Personal details that do not impact work performance or team dynamics are not discussed.
• Overly Personal Emotions: We avoid delving into deeply personal emotions that are better suited for individual therapy.

Topics to Bring Up in Sessions

When to Bring Up Emotional Topics:

• Recurring Conflicts: If the same issues keep arising, it’s worth exploring the emotional aspects contributing to them.
• Team Misalignment: When there’s a lack of alignment on vision or strategy, understanding emotional perspectives can help.
• Decision Paralysis: If decisions are being delayed due to hidden concerns or fears, addressing emotions can unblock progress.