Hi, I'm Nick, a founder turned executive coach. I partner with ambitious leaders to get to the heart of the matter.
Startup life consists of constant demands on your attention. It can be hard to think, let alone listen to the deepest calling inside you.
Working with me is a commitment to listen to that calling. I listen alongside you for what's true, what's important, and where the mystery is.
Many ambitious people fear that this may slow them down, or lead them astray. My experience has been the opposite: knowing what you really want is the basis for doing the best work of your life with joy and integrity.
If you're interested in working together, I'd love to connect and hear more about your journey.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
“Nick's greatest strength is his ability to meet me exactly where I am, shifting across levels based on what the situation requires. When we're tackling product, people, or strategy, he draws on his background as a PM and founder to provide immediate, tactical advice. But his impact is most profound when navigating the deeper, harder problems of the founder journey.
Nick has been invaluable in helping me balance my search for fulfillment with the need to address immediate pain. He knows exactly when to tell me to set an issue aside so I can move on, and when to bring it back up once the dust has cleared to address the root cause. His honest and non-judgmental approach combined with his real experience as a founder who has done the deep work himself built the trust needed to make this a successful relationship. He was so effective that I asked him to coach our entire company, to help us all find more fulfillment and work together more smoothly.”
“Nick has played a key role in my personal and career development over the last year. He is excellent at understanding both founder/startup challenges and personal challenges, and he is able to connect the dots between these two worlds. Thanks to Nick, I have discovered some deep realizations about myself that have helped me push the boundaries of what I am capable of doing and craft a sustainable lifestyle that I have always dreamed of.”
“Nick has the uncanny ability to create a safe, solid ground for digging and exploration of what's possible whilst gently pushing you to peek over the edge and see beyond the confines of your current circumstances. In my coaching sessions with him, I could feel his belief in me, which is critical when you are seeking change. My work with Nick has been truly transformational for me as a leader and a mom!”
“Working with Nick Barr has been truly transformative. As an Enneagram 3, I've always pushed myself hard, often at the expense of balance. Nick helped me not only understand the deeper motivations driving me, but also how to create a healthier relationship with my ambition. Through our work together, I've learned how to better command my energy, prioritize what really matters, and find more balance. I'm showing up more grounded, focused, and fulfilled—both professionally and personally. Highly recommend!”
.png)
My Background
As a two-time founder and product leader at mission-driven organizations like Khan Academy, coaching has had a transformational effect on my professional path. I bring my experiences as an entrepreneur, nonprofit board member, and AI strategist into my coaching practice. I also bring a longtime nondual meditation practice, Foundations training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Enneagram wisdom.
As a coach, my job is pretty simple. I help you uncover what it is you really want and who it is you are becoming. Then I help you recognize what's getting in the way. And then I help you get whatever's in the way out of the way. This process repeats in an upward spiral toward clarity, freedom, and joy.
What you will get from working with me is an enduring capacity to connect with your calling, and a nonjudgmental partner for the journey.
I received my coaching certification from Upbuild in April 2024.
How it works
All coaching relationships start the same way: with an informal chat where we can get to know each other better and discover if there's a fit.
From there, here's a sketch of how the work unfolds:
We kick things off with a 90-minute Discovery session where we talk about what you would like to get out of coaching, and what you need to make it a powerful experience.
We do 60-minute coaching sessions at least 2x per month. Our conversations center around whatever is most relevant for you. Sometimes you might come with an agenda, other times you might come with nothing more than a feeling. Together, we'll dig into understanding what's important, how it relates to your goals, and how to take action. I wrap up a session with concrete next steps, and offer accountability.
Some of our coaching sessions will be structured. Sometimes, we'll come across topics that I have expertise guiding. These might include visualization exercises, parts work, Enneagram, strategic planning, or visioning. When this happens, I'll offer a more structured approach.
I'm available between sessions if you need more support. You can text me or leave me a voice note any time. You can ask for my eyes on an important email or document. I want to be as helpful as I can be to you.
The goal here is to offer a steadfast yet flexible level of support to accommodate life's rhythms, while making consistent progress towards your goals.
Valle de Cocora, Colombia
How to Connect
If you have more questions, or would like to explore working together, I would love to hear from you. You can book an intro call with me, or reach me at nsbarr@gmail.com.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia