You don't need more advice. You need a place to think clearly, feel grounded, and lead from integrity.
Being a CEO is lonely. The stakes are high, the path is unclear, and the role is deeply isolating. You're surrounded by people with opinions—investors, employees, board members—but few true advocates who understand both the strategic complexity and emotional weight of leadership.
I become that advocate. With no competing interests as an employee, investor, or board member, my only agenda is making you more successful and happier in your role.
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"Being CEO is lonely; this is just a fact of the job. Rick has been my sanity check, my second set of eyes, and a core piece of my accountability. It's hard for anyone else to call you on your BS, but a great coach can do just this."
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"Rick guides you toward better pathways, creating a new mental model you can apply more broadly. After coaching, I cringe whenever I hear the word 'should'—I now approach decisions with genuine clarity."
Strategic Clarity + Grounded Self-Awareness
This isn't traditional coaching. I work at the intersection of clear strategy and deep inner work. Clients describe me as part strategist, part mirror—bringing clarity to both your decisions and your self-perception.
We'll use proven frameworks—Middle Path methodology, Hogan assessments, 360 reviews—paired with pattern-matching across high-performing founders. This isn't about feeling better; it's about thinking differently and leading with sustainable confidence and integrity.
The Middle Path advantage
I'm one of only a few coaches globally certified in Middle Path methodology—a framework trusted by 160+ startups and multiple VC-backed teams. This isn't another management theory. It's a systematic approach to leadership that gets to the core of how great leaders think and act.
"Introducing me to the Middle Path has been one of the most transformative training moments for the business that I can think of. There are so many management frameworks out there, but this one boils things down to such powerful yet simple essentials." — Jerome, CEO
Your advocate with no agenda
Unlike other advisors in your circle, I have no competing interests. I'm not your employee, investor, or board member. I'm not trying to impress you or manage up. My success is measured by one thing: your growth as a leader.
This clarity of purpose creates space for the honest conversations you need—the ones that challenge assumptions, surface blind spots, and help you see alternate perspectives you wouldn't naturally consider.
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You're likely a great fit if you:
Lead a startup or growth-stage company
Face complex strategic decisions with high stakes
Feel isolated in your leadership role
Want to grow without losing yourself in the process
Value both strategic thinking and personal development
Real scenarios from client engagements
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Navigating High-Stakes Decisions with Clarity
"He's been part strategist, part therapist, and part mirror—helping me sharpen my thinking, stay accountable to my values, and make better decisions."
Context
A repeat founder faced complex strategic decisions while scaling rapidly. Initially skeptical about coaching, they quickly discovered the value of having an experienced partner to navigate critical moments.
Impact
Through coaching, the founder gained sharper thinking, stayed accountable to their values, and made stronger, clearer decisions. The coaching provided structured reflection without slowing down momentum, supporting the company’s growth through scale and a major acquisition by a global technology leader.
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Building Confidence in Leadership Communication
"Rick has been incredibly powerful in helping me build and sustain confidence in my leadership. His coaching has made a real impact in how I show up in high-stakes conversations, particularly at the most senior levels of the organization."
Context
A senior executive at a growing tech firm struggled with confidence in high-stakes interactions, particularly at the C-suite level, leading to hesitation and unclear communication.
Impact
Through coaching, they learned techniques to pause, reflect, and intentionally approach tough conversations, significantly improving their executive presence and effectiveness contributing to their C-level promotion.
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Shifting from Reactive to Strategic Leadership
"The biggest insight I have had is that every difficulty/problem has multiple dimensions and that if you intentionally apply different dimensions, you end up at the actual solution instead of the one that feels good."
Context
A CEO frequently relied on force or urgency-driven solutions to manage complex business issues, which led to recurring problems and internal strain.
Impact
Through focused coaching sessions, the CEO developed new mental frameworks that moved them beyond instinctive reactions toward multidimensional problem-solving. This shift not only resolved immediate issues but also built lasting strategic capability.
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Growing Confidence in Complex Team Dynamics
“Having someone that feels genuinely in your corner is super refreshing. Rick tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. It’s exactly the kind of honesty that you need as a CEO to make the right decisions and to become a better executive.”
Context
A CEO sought coaching while facing challenging dynamics within their leadership team, feeling isolated and uncertain about complex interpersonal and strategic decisions.
Impact
Through consistent coaching, the CEO grew more experienced and confident, learning to navigate difficult conversations and situations decisively. They significantly improved decision-making clarity and communication effectiveness, positively impacting the executive team's cohesion.
When leaders seek coaching
Critical decision moments
- Executive team struggles and accountability breakdowns
- New funding rounds and scaling challenges
- Key executive hiring or departures
- Acquisition discussions and board tensions
- Cultural shifts and organizational restructuring
Personal growth inflection points
- Moving from reactive to strategic leadership
- Building confidence in high-stakes conversations
- Navigating imposter syndrome at new levels
- Balancing aggressive growth with sustainable practices
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What working together looks like
Bi-weekly 60-minute sessions (some clients prefer weekly during intense periods)
Video calls or in-person sessions for local clients in the SF Bay Area
Middle Path framework, Hogan assessments, 360 reviews, and customized strategic exercises
Most clients work with me for 12-18 months, with some relationships extending multiple years
Commensurate with the transformation you're seeking—we'll discuss specifics during our intro call
Common questions about coaching
"I wasn't entirely convinced coaching was something I needed. But working with Rick changed that perspective. Over the past few years, he's been a steady drumbeat of guidance through some of the most complex and high-stakes moments of my career." — Bob Moore, CEO, Crossbeam
The best leaders know when to invest in their own development. If you're facing decisions that will shape your company's future, the question isn't whether you need coaching—it's whether you can afford not to have it.
My value isn't industry expertise—it's leadership expertise. The challenges you face (team dynamics, strategic decisions, personal growth) are remarkably consistent across sectors. I pattern-match across leaders, not industries.
Stories of Transformation
Start the conversation
Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. The best decisions come from clarity, not pressure.