Meet Dr. Maxine, who has spent nearly three decades at the intersection of advisory, sales, and psychology, helping professionals reframe limiting beliefs and ignite transformative behavioural change. A seasoned trainer, keynote speaker, and author of the Secret Manual trilogy, she blends emotional intelligence with commercial strategy to shape leaders who perform with both clarity and conscience.
From boardrooms to training halls, Dr. Maxine is known for her sharp behavioural insight and intuitive ability to decode what is left unsaid. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help individuals see their potential clearly, outgrow self doubt, and lead with humanity in an increasingly complex world.
You describe yourself as someone who ignites transformative behavioural change. What first sparked your passion for decoding human behaviour?
Since I was a little girl, I was always intrigued that when two people looked at the same situation, they could react very differently. I realised early on that the difference often lay in mindset, identity, and unseen emotional drivers. I observed my parents having discussions or arguments about the same issue, yet responding in completely different ways because of their backgrounds, culture, and race.
I wrote in my third book that I have always had a certain intuitive sense about why people behave the way they do. From the age of seven or eight, I was fascinated by decoding human behaviour, and that curiosity led me to where I am today.
In your experience, what is the most common self limiting belief holding professionals back today?
A phrase I hear repeatedly is, “I’m not ready.” I’m not ready to start the business. I’m not ready to switch careers. I’m not ready to step up. Many people spend their entire lives waiting to feel ready.
It is perfectionism disguised as prudence. They appear careful and calculated, but underneath it is fear. The belief of not being ready keeps them stuck far longer than any real obstacle ever could.
With your background in advisory, sales, and psychology, what separates top performing sales professionals from average ones?
Over the past thirteen years, I have trained thousands of sales professionals. Average performers often know the right scripts and techniques. They can turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ and close a quick deal. However, top performers sell from emotional intelligence, not urgency.
They listen not only to words but to the emotions behind them. They identify unspoken themes and hidden meanings. Rather than being transactional, they think long term. They strategise, plan, and make customers feel genuinely understood. That is why they consistently outperform others year after year.
No one is 100 per cent positive all the time, no matter how they appear. What keeps me grounded is the belief that I still have more to give and more to share. I come alive when I connect with people.
Many sales professionals struggle with rejection. How should they reframe it psychologically?
Rejection is rarely personal. It is usually about timing, priorities, or unresolved fears the client may not feel comfortable expressing. Even as a business owner selling my own training and speaking solutions, I experience rejection. Last year, a client who had previously engaged me requested my proposal and then disappeared. My initial reaction was emotional.
However, I reframed it by asking what other reasons might exist. I may never know the true reason, but I chose to move on. When we reframe rejection as data, it becomes useful information that sharpens our skills. Emotion clouds judgement; data clarifies it.
What is one positive mindset that keeps you grounded on a daily basis?
Let me be vulnerable and honest. No one is 100 per cent positive all the time, no matter how they appear. What keeps me grounded is the belief that I still have more to give and more to share. I come alive when I connect with people. If I spend too much time alone, I overthink and become melancholic. But the moment I call or text someone, offer value, or simply say something kind, I feel instantly uplifted.
Everyone has a different spark. Some call it a trigger, but I prefer to see it as the thing that lights your fire. For me, it is human connection. When I meet someone, I naturally feel energised. Instead of seeing negative people as draining, I reframe it. They are not toxic; they need help. When I see someone frustrated or lost, it ignites my desire to support them. That mindset keeps me grounded and moving forward.
How do you keep your message relevant after nearly thirty years in the field?
Human psychology itself has not changed. We are still human. What changes is context. I stay relevant by observing emerging generations and trends, and by embracing tools such as artificial intelligence rather than fearing them. I listen deeply to business challenges across industries and pay attention to evolving language.
Terms may change, but the fundamentals of human behaviour remain timeless. Wisdom must adapt its packaging, but its core stays the same.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Having crossed half a century in age, I hope to leave behind a legacy that outlives me through practical tools and frameworks that help people think better, relate more meaningfully, and lead more effectively. I have published three books in the Secret Manual trilogy: The Sales Warrior, The Engaging Warrior, and The Intuitive Warrior.
I am grateful that these works will endure beyond me. More importantly, I hope to be remembered as someone who helped others unlock even one percent more of their potential. If my work shifts how someone thinks, leads, or behaves in a positive way, that is legacy enough.
What is your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I am proud of Singapore’s progress and our ability to adapt. Moving forward, I hope we value emotional intelligence alongside intellect in leadership. Strong cross cultural agility is also essential if we are to truly embody our multiracial identity.
Finally, as we integrate technology and artificial intelligence, we must not lose our humanity. Efficiency should never come at the expense of compassion. I hope Singapore continues to grow while preserving the human connection that defines us.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I would choose the ability to let people instantly see their true potential. So many individuals believe they are not good enough or not ready. If I could remove self doubt, even for a single day, and allow them to fully experience their capacity, that clarity could permanently transform how they show up in life.
Connect with Dr. Maxine: GlobalMaxAcademy.
