Paulin Laberge
Paulin Laberge is a seasoned CEO turned business coach who understands high-stakes transitions, team alignment, and how to guide leaders through the critical moments that define their companies.
Coaching
- Certified Metronomics Coach
- Over 20 years of experience facilitating strategic planning for organizations
- Directive, structured coaching style tailored to CEO-level challenges
- Focused on effective execution
- CEO coaching through scaling, succession, and exit
- Long-term coaching partnerships focused on accountability and results
- Leadership team alignment and operating rhythm development
- Personal advisory support—serving as a “personal board of directors” for CEOs
- Facilitator for offsites, executive retreats, and strategic planning sessions
Specific Expertise
- Founder and CEO transitions
- Restructuring and turnaround leadership
- Scaling Hardware, Software, Services, SaaS, B2B & B2C businesses
- Exit preparation, positioning, and execution
- Market expansion and strategic partnerships
- Cross-functional experience in product, sales, finance, and operations
- Coaching investor-backed leadership teams
- Building and sustaining execution discipline
Education
- B.Sc. Electrical Engineering – University of Alberta
- Executive training in strategy, finance, sales, marketing, negotiations, and coaching
- Former Entrepreneur-in-Residence – BC Innovation Council
Career Highlights
- CEO of five companies; co-founder of two technology startups
- Led the turnaround and sale of a publicly traded company
- Guided a highly successful exit of a SaaS business
- Brought in by the boards and investor to lead 2 other companies in crisis
- Built and mentored high-performing leadership teams
- Raised capital and secured strategic partnerships across multiple ventures
- Designed and delivered entrepreneur education programs to 100s of companies
- Long-time facilitator of peer roundtables for growth-stage CEOs
When a CEO calls me, they are often in pain and tired, whether it's a lack of growth or profitability, an ineffective leadership team, or an unclear strategy to move forward. As a coach, I help leaders navigate these challenging situations.
One of the most difficult assignments I faced as a CEO involved being brought in to rescue a $20M publicly traded manufacturing company from bankruptcy. The company had run out of cash, the founders had stopped talking to each other, and the 100-person team was fractured across two locations. I stabilized the business, aligned the team, and led the company through successful privatization and sale in just 9 months. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: when alignment breaks down, performance follows.
This insight now guides how I coach CEOs through their challenging transitions. Having co-founded 2 companies and served as CEO of 5 others, including taking over a SaaS company where I doubled revenue and increased valuation by 5X, I understand firsthand the pressures and decisions you face as a leader.
My approach is directive and structured, using the Metronomics system to bring clarity, focus, and accountability to CEOs and their teams. I guide clients from confusion to commitment, ensuring they know what needs to be done, by whom, and by when. As your coach, I provide the external perspective and accountability needed to stay focused on what matters.
If you're wondering how to move forward, I can help you build a solid plan and adapt it as challenges evolve. You'll stay in control, stay connected to your purpose, and build the business you set out to create.