Alex Hurworth is a dynamic executive coach and consultant who has dedicated over two decades to building and improving software, leading the design and strategy of numerous apps across global markets. After an extensive career in technology, including pivotal roles in corporate and pandemic response projects, Alex experienced a significant career shift.
“Time is Precious” was born from Alex’s personal journey of overcoming burnout and recognizing the finite nature of life. In this interview, Alex discusses her career evolution, the pivotal moments that led to her transition into coaching, the impact of her global experiences, and her vision for empowering others through leadership. She also addresses the barriers women face in taking career risks and provides valuable advice for organizations looking to advance female leadership.
Reflecting on your transition from tech leader to executive coach, what pivotal moments or insights prompted this shift in your career path?
I’ve always been driven by a desire to have a real impact. While that showed through the apps and software we created, my greatest fulfillment came from developing my direct reports. After 20 years in the corporate grind, working relentlessly on projects for the CEO, CTO, and then additionally as part of New York State’s pandemic response, I was burned out. It was time for a change.
In 2021, I decided to leverage my entrepreneurial spirit and start my own business focused on partnering with organizations to support them in elevating their talent’s leadership. This allows me to channel my energy into what I’m most passionate about – empowering others to grow as leaders.
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You’ve had the opportunity to work in several global cities. How have these diverse cultural experiences influenced your professional approach and leadership style?
Working overseas taught me the immense value of experiencing different cultures. It was a humbling reminder that my perceived “norms” are just one way of viewing the world. This experience has made me vigilant about not making assumptions about my clients or direct reports.
Each person is unique, with their own needs and values. To truly unlock someone’s potential, I must nurture and appreciate them as an individual, not treat them as part of a monolithic group. This approach is crucial to bringing out the best in others.
Can you tell us more about the genesis of ‘Time is Precious’? What was the moment or motivation that sparked the idea for this venture?
This is deeply personal. Ten months into the pandemic, I had my first and only panic attack. Though nothing compared to the heroics of frontline workers, I was burned out from working until midnight most nights on a COVID response app, alongside my regular duties. That panic attack made me feel like I was dying. It was a wake-up call that life is short. Once that project ended, I knew I had to prioritize my well-being and finally pursue my dream of starting my own business.
Now that I’ve made the leap, I’m noticing more and more frequently how people are dissatisfied with their work situation, burnt out, or knowing they’re capable of more, but paralyzed by fear and the powerful inertia of the status quo. It’s easier to sleepwalk through the familiar routine: wake up, go to work, attend meetings, go home, repeat. The paycheck and benefits further entrench the cycle. And in the blink of an eye, one year becomes two, three then five.
Making a change requires venturing into the unfamiliar and can be risky. It means extra work on top of daily duties – speaking up for a promotion, rallying your team around an audacious idea, or even leaving to start your own business. But that’s where growth happens when you muster the courage to disrupt your comfortable patterns.
So, I named my company after that transformative experience, as a reminder of why I’m doing this. Depending on what you believe, we have one life. Let’s make the most of it!
What do you believe are the most significant barriers today that prevent women from taking more risks in their careers? How do you address these challenges in your coaching sessions?
Gender norms discourage women from voicing their opinions at work. Lack of confidence and imposter syndrome are constant hurdles. The gender pay gap and societal pressures mean many women lack the financial safety net to take entrepreneurial risks – it feels safer sticking with a steady paycheck and health insurance. For mothers, the high cost of childcare makes returning to work economically challenging. There are so many barriers holding women back from pursuing their ambitions and starting businesses.
My last name is Hurworth (“her-worth”). I think that is no accident! My mission is to elevate women into leadership roles, increasing their wealth and independence so they can take risks professionally and personally. I want them to speak up fearlessly, and to learn to quieten voices of self-doubt and second-guessing. My coaching helps clients get crystal clear on their goals and maps out the micro-steps to achieve them. Through low-risk experiments, they see that inaction is impossible – these small steps build unstoppable momentum towards transformative change. They realize their true capability, learning that it’s action that creates confidence, not the other way around. They don’t need to wait for confidence before making moves.
I give my clients the tools and mindset to boldly pursue what they want without restraint. With financial independence comes the power to take chances and lead more purposeful lives on their own terms.
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In your opinion, what are the essential elements for maintaining a fulfilling professional life without compromising personal happiness and well-being?
The essential elements for maintaining a fulfilling professional life without sacrificing personal happiness and well-being are self-awareness and the courage to take purposeful action. Self-awareness means deep understanding your core values, priorities, and boundaries.
What’s most important to you? What lines won’t you cross? Get clear on your non-negotiables for a life of integrity. From that self-knowledge, you must have the courage to get into action and have those difficult yet critical conversations. Voice your needs, assert your boundaries, stand firm on your principles – all in an objective, compassionate way. Don’t let discomfort keep you from expressing what truly matters.
When you know yourself and can communicate authentically, you create the space to honor all parts of who you are – professional, personal, family, health, spirit. You learn to integrate these into a cohesive, sustainable way of living and leading that feels deeply aligned. It’s not easy, but it’s a skill that can be practiced. The more you exercise your voice with self-awareness, the more natural and empowering it becomes to uphold your vision for a rewarding professional journey and a life you feel genuinely good about.
Finally, what advice would you give to organizations looking to genuinely advance female leadership within their ranks?
My top three recommendations are:
1) Mandate unconscious bias training to increase awareness around gender and minority biases, signaling leadership’s commitment.
2) Offer equal parental leave regardless of gender. This allows any parent to be the primary caretaker without career impacts traditionally falling on birthing parents.
3) Provide leadership skills training, investing in upskilling women and creating more role models.
By implementing these, we’ll start dismantling biases, update outdated caregiving norms, and empower women to step into their power as leaders. It’s about creating an equitable culture of growth for all.
