A senior executive at a multinational corporation was preparing for an interview to become the CEO of a leading technology firm. While the executive had experience in managing large teams and leading strategic initiatives, they struggled with positioning themselves as the top decision-maker, balancing long-term vision with operational execution, and confidently articulating a CEO-level strategic plan to the board.

We structured our coaching sessions around two primary areas: elevating the executive’s leadership narrative and preparing for the board-level interview. We first worked on developing a clear, compelling vision of what their leadership as CEO would look like. This included defining the executive’s core leadership philosophy and articulating how they would tackle current challenges and drive future growth. We also engaged in mock board presentations, focusing on refining communication, responding to tough board-level questions, and reinforcing executive presence.

The executive gained clarity around their personal leadership brand and developed a long-term strategy for the company’s growth. They practised delivering this vision to the board, answering tough questions about risk management, and focusing on key outcomes like innovation and competitive positioning. We also worked on how to showcase their ability to navigate CEO-level responsibilities, such as managing board relationships and building consensus among C-suite leaders.

After completing the coaching sessions, the executive felt fully prepared for the CEO interview. They successfully presented a bold yet pragmatic strategic vision, handled the tough board questions with confidence, and clearly communicated their ability to lead the company through future challenges. The executive was offered the CEO role and credited the coaching process with helping them gain the clarity, confidence, and presence necessary to step into such a significant leadership role.