So You’re Ambitious in Dubai… But Something’s Off.
You’re smart. Driven. Qualified. Maybe even the top performer in your department. You’ve done everything the career ladder told you to, and yet, something’s not clicking.
Sound familiar?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re wondering if career coaching might be the next step. And if you’re based in Dubai, you’re in good company, the UAE is packed with professionals chasing the next version of themselves in an environment that demands sharpness, stamina, and strategic choices.
But here’s the thing: even the brightest minds make mistakes when it comes to getting career support.
So, let’s talk about the five biggest mistakes high-performing professionals in Dubai make when it comes to career coaching and how to steer clear of them.
1. Waiting Until You’re in Crisis Mode
Let’s be real, most people don’t consider coaching until they hit a wall. Burnout. Role confusion. Leadership overwhelm. You name it.
But career coaching isn’t a last-ditch rescue mission. It’s a performance tool, not a panic button.
In Dubai’s high-octane professional climate with its aggressive timelines, multicultural dynamics, and obsession with “what’s next”, waiting until you’re in meltdown territory is like calling a personal trainer after the marathon.
Better play? Start early. When you feel the stretch, not the snap.
2. Thinking Coaching Is Only for People Who Feel “Lost”
Here’s the curveball: some of Dr. Kerstin Brehm’s clients already have titles like Director, VP, and Consultant. They’re not lost. They’re levelling up.
Career coaching in Dubai isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about:
- Sharpening negotiation strategy
- Repositioning for international roles
- Navigating internal politics with grace (and guts)
- Pivoting without starting over
If you think coaching is only for people in crisis, not for high-flyers, you’re missing the point.
Coaching is for people with vision, not just problems.
3. Underestimating Cultural Context
Dubai’s career environment is… unique.
It’s a melting pot of nationalities, expectations, and communication styles. What works in London or Sydney may come off totally different in Dubai. And vice versa.
Many professionals stumble by applying Western leadership frameworks verbatim, only to get blindsided by regional nuance:
- Hierarchy still matters here.
- Communication is often more indirect.
- “Yes” doesn’t always mean agreement.
Great coaching doesn’t just give you universal tools. It helps you translate your ambition into local fluency.
Dr. Brehm’s coaching doesn’t ignore culture, it builds with it. Which makes a massive difference when every boardroom has five passports at the table.
4. Looking for a Fix Instead of a Framework
Let’s be honest: career advice on Instagram reels might give you a temporary high. But lasting growth? That takes structure.
The most common coaching trap? Clients come in wanting quick answers, not strategic systems.
They want:
- “What should I do next?”
- “How do I deal with my boss?”
- “Should I leave my job?”
But the deeper win comes when you learn how to:
- Make decisions from self-trust, not panic
- Lead with clarity, not performance
- Create a career vision, not just job swaps
Coaching with Dr. Brehm is not about patching you up, it’s about recalibrating how you play the long game.
5. Choosing the Wrong Coach
You wouldn’t trust just anyone to operate on your heart. So why trust just anyone to guide your career?
Dr. Brehm’s clients often come to her after trying coaches who weren’t quite the right fit, overly generic, too motivational, or just surface-level.
With her background as a cardiac surgeon turned international leadership coach, Dr. Brehm brings:
- Tactical calm under pressure
- Structured resilience frameworks
- Deep psychological insight
- And lived experience inside high-stakes performance culture
That’s rare. Especially in a region where coaching is still emerging as a serious executive tool. If you’re a high achiever in Dubai, your coach should be built for your altitude.
Final Thoughts: Smart Doesn’t Mean You Have to Go It Alone
Dubai celebrates hustle, but don’t confuse independence with silence. You can be smart, driven, and still need support. That’s not weakness. That’s the strategy of someone who wants to win without breaking in the process.
If your ambition feels heavy… if the role no longer fits… if your confidence is starting to fray around the edges…
Maybe it’s time to stop guessing and start getting supported.
Ready to Work Together?
Dr. Kerstin Brehm offers career coaching in Dubai tailored to high-achieving professionals, rising leaders, and senior executives who want clarity, momentum, and confidence, with structure that sticks.
Book a Discovery Call for more on high-performance transitions.
