Is CTO Coaching Right for You? Let's Find Out Together
Free 30-Minute Discovery Call - No Pitch, Just Clarity
If you're a CTO, VP of Engineering, or CPTO struggling with the weight of your role, let's talk. This is a genuine conversation to see if coaching makes sense for you - and if we're a good fit to work together.
Why Talk to Me?
I’m Stephan Schmidt, and I’ve walked in your shoes for decades:
- 40+ years of software development experience
- 25+ years of engineering management experience
- 80+ CTOs and founders coached and mentored
- 3x startup founder - I know the chaos and the pressure
- Former manager at ImmobilienScout24 and eBay
I code every day. I understand the technical depth AND the leadership challenges. I’ve navigated explosive growth, massive technical debt, difficult layoffs, and everything in between.
What Happens on This Call?
This isn’t a sales pitch. Here’s exactly what we’ll do:
First 10 minutes: You tell me about your current situation
- What’s keeping you up at night?
- Where do you feel stuck or overwhelmed?
- What challenges are you facing right now?
Next 10 minutes: I share how I’ve helped CTOs in similar situations
- Relevant experiences from my 80+ coaching engagements
- Specific approaches that worked
- Honest perspective on your situation
Final 10 minutes: We explore if coaching is right - for both of us
- Is this a good fit?
- What would coaching look like?
- No pressure, no obligation
Ready to See If We're a Good Fit?
Book your free 30-minute discovery call below. Let's talk honestly about your challenges and whether coaching is the right next step for you.
Current availability: Booking 2-3 weeks out for new coaching engagements
This Call Is For You If…
- You’re a CTO or VP of Engineering at a startup or scaleup
- You’re struggling to be a leader and want clarity
- You feel overwhelmed by the scope of your role
- You’re dealing with technical debt, hiring challenges, or scaling issues
- You’re struggling with your time, delegation, assertiveness, or stakeholder management
- You’ve been recently promoted and feel out of your depth
- You need someone who actually understands the technical details
- You want to be happier and more successful in your role
What Others Say
This Is NOT a Sales Call
Let me be clear: I’m not here to convince you to buy coaching. I’m here to have an honest conversation about whether coaching would help you right now.
If we’re not a good fit, I’ll tell you. If you’re not ready for coaching, I’ll tell you. If I think you need something different, I’ll tell you that too.
I limit my coaching to a small number of active clients so I can give each person my full attention. This call is about finding the right match, not filling slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the call? 30 minutes. Enough time to get to know each other and understand your situation without taking over your day.
What if I’m not sure I need coaching? Perfect - that’s exactly what this call is for. We’ll figure it out together.
Do you only coach in Europe? While I’m based in Europe, I coach CTOs globally. Time zones are usually workable.
What happens after the call? If we’re both excited to work together, I’ll explain the coaching program and next steps. If not, we part as friends with no hard feelings.
How much does coaching cost? We’ll discuss investment on the call if we determine we’re a good fit. The discovery call itself is completely free.
I saw your LinkedIn post about [X]. Can we discuss that? Absolutely! If something I wrote resonated with you, let’s dive deeper into it.
What if I’m just starting as a CTO? Even better. The earlier you get support, the faster you’ll grow and the fewer costly mistakes you’ll make.
Do you sign NDAs? Yes, confidentiality is paramount. Everything we discuss stays between us.
Questions before booking? Email me at [your email] or message me on LinkedIn.