Introduction: Why Coach?

by Ed Batista

After graduating from business school, I was hired by a founding board of directors to launch a new organization, the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network. I had shared a leadership position before, but this was my first time as a solo chief executive, and I believed it was my responsibility to come up with the best ideas myself and champion them aggressively.

This approach led to a number of conflicts with my directors. A mentor of mine on the board took me aside and said, “We think you’re a talented young guy, but you have some rough edges. We’d like you to invest in yourself and get a coach.” One of my former professors had a coaching practice, and I asked her to take me on as a client. That was one ...

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