Entrepreneurs solve problems. Many will spend their entire careers looking for a problem to solve. But when recent Stanford Business School grad Karin Underwood noticed entrepreneurs actively ignoring a glaring problem in the American healthcare system, she became fixated on a simple solution. Health coaching is a proven intervention for those suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease.
One woman with high blood pressure crystallized my understanding of the need. I asked her, “if I could give you any tool in the world to get better, what would it be?” She said, “a friend.” At the heart of it, that is what health coaching provides.David DinesHealth coaching is powerful for two reasons: it builds trust, and it helps patients build confidence. Trust is important because unless you trust a coach, teacher, or health strategy, you will not invest in it.
The big Demo Day was approaching. Finally, under time pressure, I sat down and thought about what was getting in my way. I realized I was thinking about humility the wrong way. It takes humility to ask for help to solve such a big intractable problem. To admit that I have such big dreams, and that I need others on the journey with me.