🎯 Co-FOUNDER CONNECTION : The Most High Leverage Meeting You Have Every Week
In coaching Co-founders and Co-CEO’s, I have learned that it is *not* a lack of business growth/progress or even a failing interpersonal relationship that causes co-founder conflict– but rather, a lack of Co-founder Connection processes. Unsexy, but let me explain. Co-founders need scheduled time to sync, dedicated time to collaborate. This and other healthy co-founder strategies is the best way to create positive relationship habits that mitigate long-term conflict.
THE CO-FOUNDER CONNECTION CURVE:
When done well, Co-Founder Connections should be the HIGHEST LEVERAGE MEETINGS you have every single week.
Tackle the Tactical Material (the 90% stuff)
This includes:
alignment on strategy,
to make sure each of your teammates has what they need from the other,
to put your existential threats in priority order (and to discuss only the most important ones),
to share context with one another on each of your functions, and
to think through difficult questions together.
Get to the + / - 5% parts of the relationship dynamics.
This is the +/- 5%, the positive and negative, topics that arise in any relationship dynamic. The things that feel like bragging (+5%) and the things that you would hold back in most contexts from saying directly to others (-5%).
See below on “Giving Feedback” tips
Speak honestly so that the other person knows what to keep doing and what to change.
Talk about each others' performance - what are you all doing well and where can each of you improve?
Discuss how you feel in the relationships with one another and what you might need in order for it to be stronger.
Check in on your trust levels.
Why is the 5% so important?
It is VERY EASY to stay in the 90% zone of conversations with your co-founder. DON’T. Stay vulnerable and continue giving one another feedback about performance and the relationship.This is really important practice for each of you later on when you start to manage a team (and then later on, executives).
You will need to start drawing down on the trust that 5% conversations build as you continue undergoing intense pressure points and crisis movements in your company building.
The only constant is Your Co-Founder Connection
Just like your product, your internal process will be under constant iteration. This meeting is no exception! The only thing that shouldn't change is the existence of your Co-Founder CONNECTION on your calendar - this consistent and protected time. Of course, the day, duration, venue, agenda, and cadence will undergo many versions.
START NOW if you haven’t already!
There will be connects that don’t feel totally productive and even awkward at first. CONTINUE! You will get into a rhythm and in sync.
WHY WEEKLY?
Regular Co-Founder Connections automatically are a release valve for high-pressure partnerships.
Friday afternoons for 60-90 minutes.
Psychologically reassuring because they are a predictable mechanism for surfacing difficult topics.
Consistency of these meetings relieves anxiety. A one-off meeting called to address a conflict can cause unnecessarily heightened pressure.
Both positive and negative feedback is openly shared in every direction possible in a safe space.
Clear up any relationship debt you have built up over the last week
WHAT DO WE TALK ABOUT?
Align high-level strategy on product, direction, and priorities
Put existential threats in priority order
Hold each other accountable
Mutually share performance feedback - positive and negative
Give and receive management help
Talk about trust - in each other, in your product, in your current direction
Have a 5% conversation to strengthen your relationship with each of your cofounders
What co-founders should talk about by stage of startup.
**Getting to the 5% in your conversations.
get to the most crucial, essential details or key points, rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary information or tangential discussions
aim to say the thing clearly, directly, and with humanity.
focus on vulnerability. Getting to the root emotion under a thought, idea, concern, worry.
Say the things that you hold back in “polite situations”
Tips for giving effective feedback to your co-founder.
Tips for building trust with your co-founder.
Recommendation for Co-Founder Connection (CFC):
WEEKLY - Co-founder Connects are dedicated, sacred time to meet weekly. This time is used to (45-75 minutes)
Specific, Direct (and Humane) Feedback: Give each other feedback
Align and de-risk high-level strategy
Provide management support to one another
Are there systems that need to be adjusted, created, removed?
What roadblocks do you face?
What is possible?
Talk explicitly about trust and communication within your relationships.
QUARTERLY - Co-Founder Quarterly Sync (2-4 hours + include a shared meal!)
Celebrate wins & accomplishments (personal and business)
Team and talent diagnostic, strategize on resource allocation and needs
Feedback: Give each other clear specific feedback
Align on progress to strategy and roles
Talk openly about relationship hygiene
Look ahead: Get clear on the next 90 days
ANNUALLY - Co-Founder Annual Alignment (1-2 days in-person)
Get Grounded:
Company Recap: Review key achievements, challenges, and current market landscape.
Share and Receive Feedback on Individual Reflections: reflect on personal.individual goals, strengths, and areas for development.
Strategic Visioning:
Run Risk Scenarios: industry trends, risks, competition, and outline potential opportunities.
Get clear on alignment to mid-term goals and Big Picture Vision: Brainstorm and prioritize key goals for the next 1-3 years.
Strategic pillar focus areas: Deep dive discussions on key company pillars with assigned action items.
Financial Outlook: Review of financial projections and key metrics.
Open Q&A session: Time for open discussion and addressing concerns among co-founders.
Co-founder Trust Building: Talk explicitly about trust and communication within your relationship, Provide each other feedback and support.
