Executive Spotlight: Manisha Sharma

Manisha Sharma, the CEO and Founder of Inscape Solutions and Consulting, LLC, reflects on her career journey and the evolution of her role as a leader and executive coach. With a foundation in engineering and over two decades of experience spanning program management, product marketing, and business integration, she highlights key turning points that shaped her path. After years of leadership, she founded her own consulting firm, focusing on helping businesses navigate growth and development through coaching and fractional executive support.

Q: Can you tell us about your career journey and how you evolved into your current role as a CEO and Founder of Inscape Solutions and Consulting, LLC? 

A: I have approached the steppingstones in my career as opportunities to learn, grow, and create measurable impact. My educational background is in engineering, but my career journey has spanned program management, strategic planning, product marketing, P&L ownership, general management, product management, integration, and HR. I've experienced almost every function within a company, working alongside some of the best in their fields and learning optimal practices for each role. 

After a successful 21-year career with large corporations, I took a sabbatical in 2021 to focus on my passion for building and developing people. I earned formal certification from the esteemed International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) as an Executive and Leadership Coach, equipping myself with the knowledge to make a significant impact. I then founded Inscape Solutions and Consulting to offer my expertise, with "Solutions" comprising coaching and assessments (www.inscape.solutions) and "Consulting" as a fractional executive to SMBs. 

During my sabbatical in Hyderabad, India—the country of my birth, which I left at age four for Southern Africa—I fulfilled my plans and much more. I coached leaders, provided fractional support for SMBs, taught English at orphanages, practiced yoga, traveled, learned South Indian cooking, and made dear friends and new connections. Through one of these connections, I was introduced to the CEO of Upfront, where I transitioned from providing fractional support to a full-time role as Chief Integration and People Officer, helping integrate their new acquisition. After successfully bringing the two companies together sustainably, I returned to my fractional and coaching journey with Inscape Solutions and Consulting. 

Q: What are some key milestones or turning points in your career that significantly impacted your professional growth? 

A: I have had many turning points with every new learning. I will share the three top ones that have had a profound influence on how I approach any space. 

My first turning point came after a year at Intel as an engineer. My skip-level manager, who remained a mentor for many years, told me that while I was a good engineer, I wouldn’t be great. I was initially offended, but he explained that he saw my strengths in working with and inspiring teams, being process-driven, and goal-oriented. He suggested I take on a role as a Senior Program Manager. When our roles align with our strengths, the output is much greater. Although I was trained as an engineer, my strengths combined with analytical and problem-solving skills would be more impactful in this new role. I reluctantly agreed and never looked back. This approach is central to how I manage my teams and develop leaders today – helping them find and leverage their superpowers. 

My second turning point came with an offer to join Micron Technologies as the Director of Product Marketing. I was new to retail and P&L management and faced a steep learning curve. My hiring manager, who remains a dear friend, informed me that I was joining a failing business needing a turnaround within 12-18 months. I accepted the job quickly, realizing later that I thrive in ambiguity and enjoy building. Subsequently, all my roles involved new business units or products, constructing businesses and teams from the ground up. I relished every challenge and stumbled along the way, working with some of the best teams. 

The third turning point was my experience at Amazon, where I had access to "infinite data." This was my introduction to a big data environment. Learning to change my perspective with each new data point and making quick and informed decisions based on data is a skill that requires time and patience. The reward was the assurance of being right in the end, every time. Embracing open-mindedness, setting aside ego, and letting facts guide decisions is incredibly refreshing. 

Q: Given your experience in healthcare SaaS technology, what do you see as the most significant trends and challenges in the industry today? 

A: Healthcare is at a turning point, shifting from a pure service system to a commerce-based ecosystem. In our information and AI-driven environments, patients have greater control over their health and healthcare decisions. Healthcare providers and the supporting supply chain must adapt to this commerce-based mindset, focusing on new strategies for patient acquisition and retention. 

Q: What role do you think fractional executives will play in the future of business, particularly in the healthcare sector? 

A: Fractional Executives serve as both strategists and implementers during key phases of an SMB's growth. Many SMBs cannot afford to have every executive function full-time or require specialized skills and experience for specific challenges. The fractional role offers a win-win solution, providing SMBs with high-level expertise and flexibility while allowing executives to work on diverse projects. 

Q: What is a skill or talent you have that might surprise people who know you professionally? 

A: I like to consider myself an amateur artist, engaging in crafting, painting, and sewing. I enjoy creating tangible pieces that reflect my emotional and spiritual state at any given moment. This practice also keeps my right-brain—my creative brain—active and exercised. 

Q: Do you have a favorite productivity hack or routine that helps you stay on top of your busy schedule? 

A: I set aside time each day to be truly bored. Boredom serves as a form of self-reflection, fostering change and creativity. This practice enables me to focus on what matters most.