The Whole CEO | Navigator
Trusted Support for First-Time PE Backed CEOs
nav·i·ga·tor | [ˈnavəˌɡādər] noun
The Reality of the Role
As a PE backed CEO, you are the top 1%. The stakes are high, expectations unclear. You’re used to pressure, but a new board, team, and timeline make this different. Even top performers feel unsure at first.
You’re not alone.
As a PE backed CEO you sign up for:
- 5–7 years of pressure
- Constant scrutiny
- Relentless execution
You accept a temporary disruption in hopes of a permanent breakthrough. Everyone says: “Find balance.”
But for a PE backed CEO, balance is impossible.
The PE Backed CEO Lifecycle
The Whole CEO: Navigator is built for this moment.
You’ll get a trusted guide, and a proven structure designed for PE backed CEOs to help you focus, accelerate, and lead without losing yourself.
We help you integrate the demands of leadership with the rest of your life, so you can create results that last and a life you actually want to live.
What You Get
You won’t just get a coach.
You’ll co-create a personal path forward, customized to your season and your strengths, so you can scale smarter and lead more fully.
A Dedicated Executive Coach – one who has sat in your seat and can walk you through your specific challenges
A Life Coach – one who works with the same level of rigor
Exclusively Curated Peer Group – peers like you, who actually get it
Mentorship & Network – access to those who have been where you are
What The Whole CEO Provides
Our research-backed, codified methodology for success includes the following:
How ETJL Coaches Support First-Time CEOs
ETJL Coaches have lived in the CEO seat often in high-pressure, private equity-backed environments. They understand the weight of the role, especially when following a founder, and offer support that’s direct, practical, and grounded in experience.
CEO Coaching
Many new CEOs step in with strong operational experience but limited time to reflect or recalibrate.
ETJL Coaches provide space and structure to:
- Clarify your leadership approach
- Strengthen go-to-market decisions
- Build confidence in unfamiliar territory
- Balance execution with long-term perspective
Team Formation & Alignment
We help CEOs:
- Assess team strengths and gaps
- Align around shared principles and expectations
- Improve communication and trust
- Shift from reactive execution to intentional leadership
Board Relationships & Governance
ETJL Coaches support CEOs in:
- Clarifying roles and expectations
- Building trust with board members
- Navigating early tensions and transitions
- Increasing the board’s impact through clearer alignment
‘The Second CEO’ Methodology
Unlock a battle-tested, research-backed CEO methodology from Matt Sharrers, founder of ETJ Life.
His Amazon Best Seller, The Second CEO, forms the cornerstone of the proven framework that powers our program.
Interested in seeing if you are a fit for our program?
Fill out the form below or email membership@etjlife.com, and we will be in contact with more information.