Let’s be blunt: if you’re waiting for your boss, HR, or some fairy godmother to hand you your next big break, you’re delusional.
At the quarterly Break Free Breakfast that I organized in Dubai on Saturday 26 April 2025, 14 senior finance pros sat down and confirmed what you probably already suspect—you are 100% in charge of your own survival.
The theme? Navigating your career in tough times. The insights? Sharp, savage, and straight to the point. If you’re a managed-level leader or above, and you think you’re safe, think again.
Here’s the brutal truth (and the practical toolkit) we unpacked—plus the one intervention that, as we discussed later, was handy in almost every situation: the power of executive coaching.
1. Show Your Value—or Fade Away
Participant 1 set the tone: if people don’t see your value, you create it. Don’t wait around for recognition. This isn’t kindergarten where everyone gets a sticker. It’s war—and your weapon is the value you visibly add.
But here’s where leadership coaching comes in: do you even know what your real value is? Most don’t. An executive coach helps you identify, refine, and sell your unique edge—no guesswork.
2. Networking: The Lifeline You’re Probably Doing Wrong
Everyone, from Participant 2 to 8, raved about networking. It’s how they landed jobs, dodged disasters, and stayed visible. But let’s be honest—most of us suck at it. We think spamming LinkedIn or awkward coffee chats will cut it. Newsflash: they won’t.
This is where coaching flips the script. A good executive coach teaches you how to network with strategy—who to approach, how to build trust, and how to stay top of mind without being that guy.
3. Resilience Isn’t Optional—It’s Mandatory
Participant 4 shared the wake-up call moment: watching good people get sacked was a slap in the face. His response? Upskill like mad (CMA, CIMA, the works). But even more importantly, he didn’t go it alone.
Behind every resilient comeback is someone—a mentor, a coach, a sounding board—pushing you through the burnout, keeping your head straight, and showing you your next move when all you want to do is crawl under a desk.
4. Politics: Play It or Pay the Price
Participant 5 learned the hard way: being seen as a threat ended his stint. The lesson? Office politics aren’t optional. You either learn to navigate them, or you become collateral damage.
Coaching here is critical. Why? Because you’re too close to your own situation to see the chessboard clearly. A leadership coach sees the game, helps you move the pieces, and keeps your emotions from sabotaging your strategy.
5. Toxic Bosses: They Break You—Unless You Have Backup
Participant 8’s story was a nightmare: a manipulative, soul-sucking boss who thrived on breaking people down. His turning point? Realizing self-talk wasn’t cutting it. He turned to mentors—people who gave him real, actionable advice. But not everyone has a ready-made board of wise elders.
That’s exactly where an executive coach steps in. Someone objective, seasoned, and focused on you. Someone who calls out your blind spots—and hands you tools that work.
6. Don’t Rely on Numbers—Master the Narrative
Participant 9 thought good performance would save him. Wrong. He was blindsided by petty politics and clueless leadership. His advice? Numbers alone won’t save you—storytelling and influence will. Here’s the thing: most senior professionals are great at spreadsheets and terrible at self-promotion.
A leadership coach helps you craft your message, own your wins, and communicate so that people listen.
7. Your Brand: Built or Forgotten
Participant 10 became a subject matter expert after being laid off. That’s how he stayed in the game. But let’s get real—personal branding isn’t a DIY weekend project. It’s a strategy.
Want to stand out? Want to be known in your industry? A coach will hold your feet to the fire, keep you accountable, and ensure your brand isn’t just noise but authority.
8. Make Yourself Known—Strategically
Participant 11’s power move was making himself indispensable by engaging across the entire organization. His name started popping up in the right rooms because he made damn sure of it. But this doesn’t happen by accident—it’s calculated.
A good coach doesn’t just tell you to “network” or “be visible.” They guide you through the how, where, and why, tailored to your unique context.
9. Opportunity Hides in Chaos—If You’re Ready
Participant 12 reminded us that chaos = opportunity. But only if you’re prepared and in the right headspace. And let’s face it—during chaos, your judgment is cloudy. Your fear spikes.
That’s when executive coaching becomes your anchor. Keeping you grounded, focused, and ready to strike when others are paralyzed.
The Unspoken Thread: Coaching Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Career Lifeline
Here’s what no one says out loud but everyone at that table demonstrated: no one navigates tough times alone. Behind every pivot, every bounce back, and every strategic move was a mentor, a coach, a guide.
Why? Because your career is too important to DIY. A coach gives you clarity when you’re in the fog. Pushes you when you stall. Challenges your excuses. And most importantly—shows you opportunities and traps you’re too close to see.
So, What Now?
If you’re serious about thriving (not just surviving), you need to:
• Show your value relentlessly
• Build real, not fake, networks
• Play politics smartly
• Keep learning and evolving
• Brand yourself before someone else does it for you
• And yes—get a coach.
Because tough times don’t kill careers. Complacency and solo thinking do.
What’s your next smart move? If you don’t know, that’s your sign—it’s time to bring in backup.
