Coaching Conversation: Maxine and Her Thinking Partner

Context: Maxine , the CEO of TechInnovate, has reached out to her executive coach, Sarah, to help her process the difficult decision between pursuing international expansion and focusing on the AI-driven product. The goal of the session is to clarify Maxine’s thinking, explore her priorities, and consider the implications of each choice.

Maxine (CEO): "Sarah, I’m stuck. We’ve got two incredible opportunities, but I can’t pursue both without stretching the company too thin. One is international expansion, which would bring in revenue and grow our presence. The other is the AI platform—if we nail it, we could completely change the game in healthcare technology. How do I make this decision?"

Sarah (Coach): "Maxine, you’re facing a classic leadership challenge—balancing competing priorities when resources are limited. Let’s start by zooming out. What’s the larger vision for TechInnovate? How do these two opportunities fit into that long-term goal?"

Maxine: "Long-term, I want us to be known as a leader in healthcare technology. I see TechInnovate as a company that not only develops cutting-edge solutions but also improves healthcare outcomes globally. But right now, we’re at this inflection point where growth and innovation are pulling in opposite directions."

Sarah: "That’s helpful context. It sounds like both paths align with your vision, but they might lead to different outcomes in the short term. How do you feel about each option personally? What pulls you towards one over the other?"

Maxine: "That’s just it—I feel torn. Expansion is tempting because it’s tangible, immediate growth. There’s an opportunity to lock down European partnerships right now, and it would put us on the map globally. But then, there’s the AI platform. It’s more uncertain, but if we succeed, it could really set us apart. It’s risky, but it feels like the future."

Sarah: "So, on one hand, you have a more immediate payoff with expansion, and on the other, the AI platform offers long-term innovation with higher risk. Let’s think about this in terms of what you value as a leader. What are your core principles guiding this decision?"

Maxine: "I value innovation and pushing the boundaries, but at the same time, I want to see sustainable growth. I feel responsible for keeping the company stable. My gut tells me the AI platform is where we should go, but the more cautious part of me is concerned about losing out on revenue if we delay expansion."

Sarah: "Those are valid concerns, and it’s normal to feel that tension between risk-taking and stability. What’s the fear behind focusing on innovation? What’s driving that cautious side?"

Maxine: "My fear is that we’ll invest heavily in the AI platform, and it could flop. We’ve seen it before—companies get so focused on innovation that they miss market opportunities. I don’t want that to be us. But at the same time, if we don’t innovate, we’ll just be another tech company that expanded too quickly and got left behind."

Sarah: "It sounds like the fear of failure is weighing heavily on you, but there’s also fear of missing out on an opportunity for true differentiation. Let’s explore a hypothetical. If you did commit to the AI platform and it didn’t work out as planned, what would you have learned from that experience? How could that failure still serve your company?"

Maxine: "Hmm… well, even if the platform didn’t take off, we would still have invested in R&D and built up capabilities that could help us innovate in the future. We’d learn what works and what doesn’t. Plus, our engineers are passionate about this. It could lead to other breakthroughs even if this one doesn’t work."

Sarah: "That’s insightful. So, even in a worst-case scenario, there’s value in pushing forward with innovation. Now, let’s shift perspectives. If you chose expansion, and in two years you find out a competitor released a similar AI platform before you did, how would you feel about that?"

Maxine: "Frustrated. I’d feel like we missed our shot at doing something transformative. Expansion is safer, but I’d hate to see someone else take the lead in healthcare tech innovation."

Sarah: "It sounds like there’s a deep part of you that’s driven by innovation and staying ahead. What’s the cost of not pursuing that vision right now?"

Maxine: "The cost could be our differentiation. We might grow, but without that edge, we could blend in with everyone else. And that’s not what I want for TechInnovate."

Sarah: "Given that reflection, what’s emerging for you about the decision?"

Maxine: "I’m realizing that I’ve been so focused on the fear of failure with innovation that I didn’t fully consider the risk of not innovating. If we only focus on short-term gains, we might sacrifice long-term leadership. I think my gut was right—I believe we need to prioritize the AI platform. It’s risky, but it aligns with the future I want to build."

Sarah: "That’s a powerful realization, Maxine. Now, let’s think about managing the risks. If you choose the AI platform, how can you mitigate the financial and operational risks involved? What steps can you take to ensure the company remains stable during the process?"

Maxine: "Good point. I could explore some strategic partnerships or look into phased approaches where we pursue smaller milestones for the AI platform while maintaining some resources for expansion later. I think we also need to communicate this decision clearly to the team and investors so they understand the long-term vision."

Sarah: "That sounds like a solid strategy. What’s one step you can take right after this conversation to move forward with clarity and confidence?"

Maxine: "I’ll call a meeting with my leadership team tomorrow to share my thinking and get their input on a phased approach. I want to make sure we’re all aligned on the risks and rewards before we move forward."

Takeaway: Through her coaching conversation with Sarah, Maxine was able to clarify her values, explore the potential costs of each option, and connect with her long-term vision for TechInnovate. By embracing her identity as an innovation-driven leader, she moved toward prioritizing the AI platform while identifying ways to mitigate risks and ensure the company’s stability.