In this energising episode of the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Alisa Cohn — executive coach, former CFO, and author of the highly acclaimed book From Start-Up to Grown-Up.
Named the #1 Startup Coach in the world by Thinkers50 and a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes, Alisa has coached the leadership teams of companies like Venmo, Etsy, and Dell — and countless first-time founders navigating the scale-up journey.
In this episode, we go deep on the inner game of scaling. Alisa shares personal stories, proven techniques, and hard-won wisdom to help founders stop getting in their own way and start growing into the leaders their companies need.
We explore:
✅ Why Clarity of Vision Beats Clarity of Path
✅ The Shift from Founder to CEO
✅ How to Build Confidence Using a “Highlight Reel”
✅ Why So Many Founders Struggle to Let Go
✅ How to Motivate Without Burning Out
✅ The #1 Trap Holding Scale-Up Leaders Back
Whether you're leading a 5-person start-up or a 500-person team, this episode is a powerful reminder: your business can’t scale until you do.
🎧 Tune in now and find out how to move forward — even if the path isn’t clear.
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/
🌐 Website: https://www.alisacohn.com
📘 Download scripts for difficult conversations: https://www.alisacohn.com/scripts
ScaleX™ is a platform designed to help SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast brings insights from world-class entrepreneurs and business thinkers.
📌 Learn more about Simple Scaling:
🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com
🎙 Podcast Episodes: https://www.simplescaling.com/podcast
📩 Newsletter Signup: https://www.simplescaling.com/newsletter
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling
If you're an SME leader who wants help to scale with purpose and a proven plan and framework to follow to get there, here are two ways you can work with us:
1. Join our Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme in 2026
(For SME leaders generating £2m–£30m annually)
Since 2020, we’ve run a 12-month group coaching programme designed for CEOs, founders, and MDs who want to scale their business, their leadership, and their teams.
📌 Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com
2. Join ScaleX Elevate
(For SME leaders generating £750k–£2m)
A fully digital learning community for scaling leaders — featuring weekly training, support sessions, and guest speakers to give you a roadmap for success.
📌 Register interest here: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate
