In a recent LinkedIn post, Ehsan Ali shares a deeply personal account of his transition from the corporate world, detailing the initial struggles and the pivotal mindset shift that led him to a successful career in coaching and a significant increase in his own earning potential. Ali emphasizes that the business world does not inherently reward experience, but rather the clear translation of that experience into tangible commercial value.
He recounts the stark reality after leaving his corporate job without a concrete plan, driven by a desire for autonomy over his income, growth, and career trajectory. This period was marked by significant financial and professional setbacks.
“The business world does not reward experience. It rewards how clearly that experience translates into commercial value.”
Ali details 18 months of hardship, including three failed ventures, an empty bank account, and the pressure of ongoing financial obligations like a mortgage and school fees, all while trying to shield his family from the extent of his difficulties.
The Mountain of Value: Reframing Experience
A turning point came when a coach provided Ali with a new perspective: “You are not starting from zero. You are sitting on a mountain of value.” This insight prompted Ali to re-evaluate his extensive background, which included teaching engineering and over two decades in IT, managing large teams and high-stakes projects. He realized that beyond execution, people had consistently sought his guidance for direction and clarity.
“Because teaching and coaching had been part of my life long before corporate. It started when I was 9. Later, I taught engineering at SPCE Mumbai. Then came 22 years in IT. Large teams. Senior professionals. High-stakes delivery.”
This realization naturally led him to career coaching. However, even after committing to this path, uncertainty lingered for the first three months as financial pressures persisted. Ali describes the temptation to return to a familiar, albeit lower-paying, corporate role as a “double defeat.”
Shifting the Question: Aiming for $400K+
Instead of asking “How do I get a job?”, Ali posed a more ambitious question: “What would it take to land a $400K+ role?” This strategic reframing, as Ali explains, altered his actions and focus. He meticulously researched high-paying roles, the companies that offered them, and the specific problems they were willing to pay top dollar to solve. By repositioning himself to address these critical needs, Ali found himself in discussions with major companies like Salesforce and FIS for roles exceeding $400K.
“So I asked myself a different question. Not: ‘How do I get a job?’ But: ‘What would it take to land a $400K+ role?’ That question changed me. My actions followed.”
This success provided Ali with a crucial choice: rebuild his own career quietly or leverage his hard-won lessons to help others facing similar career plateaus. Driven by a desire to prevent others from experiencing his past struggles, he chose the latter.
Empowering Others and Redefining Success
Ali reports that he has since achieved monthly earnings significantly higher than his corporate income and has helped over 150 individuals attain career goals that once seemed unattainable. He posits that when capable individuals struggle to gain market recognition, it often stems from an unrecognized gap in how their value is perceived and communicated.
To address this, Ali is offering private sessions focused on “The $300K+ senior IT market that sits outside job boards.” He notes that limited spots remain for this month, inviting interested individuals to DM him the keyword “APRIL” for details.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ehsan Ali on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 12, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →