14. High-Performance Coaching – A Conversation with Harley Finkelstein of Shopify
Dec 19, 2023
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Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, joins TMG CEO Stephen Miles to discuss their successful coaching relationship. They talk about the importance of coaching and personal growth in the tech industry, off-ramps for founders, forming a personal board of advisors, and the value of understanding and working with people in business.
The right high-performance coach can provide unique tools and insights to help executives overcome challenges and uncover their true superpowers.
Coaching is essential for personal and professional growth in the tech industry, providing the tools and mindset necessary to adapt and scale in a competitive environment.
Deep dives
Overview of the podcast episode
In this episode, the importance and value of executive coaching are discussed. The conversation centers around the concept of executive coaching and its impact on high-performing executives and founders. The goal is to provide a clear understanding of what an executive coaching relationship looks like and how it can benefit individuals and their companies. The discussion emphasizes the difference between average coaching and high-performance coaching, highlighting the need for finding the right coach. The idea of continuous learning and personal growth as an essential aspect of leadership is also explored.
The value of coaching and its impact on personal growth
The episode shares the insights of Harley Finklestein, President of Shopify, who had a transformative experience with coaching. Observing iconic CEO Eric Schmidt's endorsement of coaching, Finklestein realized the potential to enhance his job performance through coaching. As a leader at Shopify, Finklestein felt compelled to constantly re-qualify for his role and understand the criticality of personal growth to keep pace with the company's ambitious growth. He recognized that coaching provided access to unique tools and insights that helped him overcome challenges and uncover his true superpowers, such as being a cheerleader and storyteller. Coaching enabled him to transform from an all-rounder to a specialist and create a larger toolbox for leadership.
Differentiating high-performance coaching from average coaching
The conversation highlights the importance of finding the right coach and distinguishing between average coaching and high-performance coaching. While anyone can call themselves a coach, Finklestein notes that not all coaches are equal in terms of value and effectiveness. He emphasizes the need to seek out coaches who exemplify the highest tier of coaching, such as the Miles Group. These coaches provide valuable assets, such as frameworks and insights that empower executives to navigate challenges independently. The value of coaching extends beyond direct interactions, as the insights and tools acquired become indispensable resources for decision-making and problem-solving.
The relevance of coaching in technology and entrepreneurship
The podcast delves into the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech industry. Finklestein acknowledges that many entrepreneurs and executives in tech often perceive coaching as unnecessary or incompatible with their success. However, he asserts that the constantly evolving nature of technology and the need for continuous personal growth make coaching even more crucial in this field. Coaching provides the tools and mindset necessary to outgrow companies, build effective teams, and adapt to new contexts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing coaching as a means of unlocking one's full potential and scaling both personally and professionally in the competitive tech industry.
Special guest Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, joins TMG CEO Stephen Miles to discuss their successful coaching relationship and what an ideal high-performance coaching experience can achieve. For executives and founders who may have never considered executive coaching or are unsure of what a coaching relationship looks like day-to-day, Stephen and Harley illustrate what the very best executive coaching relationship can provide.
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