Chris VandenBrink
Chris VandenBrink

“The form of your life is designed. By you. The process of revealing the seemingly invisible structures that support the form is a profound journey connecting you to the wonderfully meaningful desires you have for yourself and the world. Every day is another opportunity to re-design how you show up on the journey, every day becoming more and more you.”

Chris VandenBrink

Coach & Facilitator

Bio

The transformation from self-doubt to self-trust is the most meaningful journey we can embark on as a human. Whether founder or employee, discovering our inner-knowing requires certain conditions to be present: Patience, sitting in stillness, letting go of judgment and openness to really fucking great questions. This work is deeply personal and enduring, even if professionally practical.

As a coach, facilitator, and licensed architect, Chris VandenBrink is especially skilled at supporting leaders along this path, bringing design thinking, tactical experience, and a light-hearted approach to each moment he spends with them, together building the foundation and form of the very best versions of themselves. Through an exquisite understanding of client goals and underlying motivations, practical mental models, and organizational frameworks, Chris guides his clients through the sometimes uncertain territory of their roles into more adept and assured ground where new possibilities emerge.

Hear What Chris's Clients Say About Their Work Together

"Working with Chris from Reboot has been a transformative experience. He has a remarkable ability to help identify and address issues that were previously off my radar. Through our conversations, Chris has helped me connect the dots back to past experiences, allowing me to come to terms with them, release what no longer serves me, and confidently step into what does. The progress I've made has been profound, impacting both my personal and professional life. Thanks to Chris, I'm now showing up with a consistent, positive momentum that’s driving real change."

Ashley Alexander

VP of Operations at Kit

Reflecting on the journey I've had both personally and professionally with Chris V, the impact has been nothing short of transformative. When we first began working together in 2016, I was driven, disruptive, and stepping into my first management role. Chris's guidance was pivotal in shaping my identity as both a manager and a leader. Through his coaching, I learned to self-analyze and observe, helping me steer clear of traits I disliked in other leaders and instead embody those I truly respected. This foundation allowed me to stay true to myself and develop a leadership style that was uniquely my own.

Ben Shanken

VP of Product at Discord

"Chris has a remarkable ability to make me feel comfortable and safe being open and transparent. His genuine care creates an environment of safety that is crucial for our work. I appreciate how he asks insightful questions that encourage openness and invite transparency without ever making it feel like an obligation."

Derrick Hicks

Fractional CMO

"The most significant shift for me has been learning to better contextualize my experiences. With Chris’s guidance, I’ve improved at stepping back from the immediate day-to-day challenges and viewing them from a broader, meta-level perspective. This shift has been invaluable for both my well-being and business strategy, helping me avoid getting mired in daily issues and enabling me to see the bigger picture."

Duncan Cock Foster

Founder, Nifty Gateway

"The most significant shift I've experienced is heightened awareness of how and why I react to various situations. This increased awareness has empowered me to better navigate emotional dynamics and act in ways I am truly proud of. Additionally, it has equipped me with the skills to support and guide the people I mentor and work with."

John Downing

Co-Founder & Creative Director at ST. JULES

"Working with Chris has been incredibly valuable over the past three years. He helps me to work through complex problems by asking smart questions, actively listening, and guiding me to potential solutions. Chris has supported me on strategic priorities, operational cadencing, hard personnel decisions, and much more. His coaching has helped me to be a better leader."

Joshua Hanewinkel

Chief Customer Officer at DataGrail

Reboot Podcast Episodes featuring Chris

Wisdom for Work #21 – Engaging Your Team to Bring Out Their Best – with Team Reboot

Wisdom for Work #21 // March 12, 2024

Wisdom for Work #21 – Engaging Your Team to Bring Out Their Best – with Team Reboot

How do you engage your team to bring out their best? In this Wisdom for Work, Reboot Coaches Andy Crissinger, Jen Cody, Jim Marsden, and Chris VandenBrink gather to explore the critical importance of clarity, communication, and understanding within a team dynamic. The group highlights the significance of understanding team members’ working preferences, motivations, and values to build relationships, set expectations, and create clarity within the team.

Wisdom for Work #15 – Navigating Conflict & Difficult Conversations – with Chris VandenBrink & Andy Crissinger

Wisdom for Work #15 // April 18, 2023

Wisdom for Work #15 – Navigating Conflict & Difficult Conversations – with Chris VandenBrink & Andy Crissinger

If you work with people, odds are good that hard conversations will be part of your work life. Whether it’s firing an employee or dealing with tension in the executive team or trying to get along with a challenging personality at the office, managing people at any level, and in any scenario, makes difficult conversations inevitable and also essential to working well together. In this podcast, Chris VandenBrink and Andy Crissinger talk about leaning into hard conversations so you can do so with skill and clarity.

Wisdom for Work #10 – Leader As Coach – with Chris VandenBrink & Andy Crissinger

Wisdom for Work 10 // May 26, 2022

Wisdom for Work #10 – Leader As Coach – with Chris VandenBrink & Andy Crissinger

What are the benefits of adopting a coaching mindset in your leadership and life? In this Wisdom for Work, Reboot Coaches Andy Crissinger and Chris VandenBrink break down the three fundamental components of coaching – listening, inquiry, and mirroring.

Check Out Chris's Written Work

Entrepreneur, Know Thyself

Entrepreneur, Know Thyself

What are the myths and stories you hold? How do they influence the ways you show up in your work and life?

Build Your Company, Grow Your People

Build Your Company, Grow Your People

How often have you heard a founder or entrepreneur describe what they are doing as “building a company?” However, people aren’t built, they grow.

Reflections of a New Parent

Reflections of a New Parent

Resetting expectations, newfound resiliency, and journaling prompts for new parents.