From tech and finance to healthcare and education, many business sectors and industries are being disrupted and reshaped by emerging technologies, shifting market demands and global uncertainty. For executive and leadership coaches, this means supporting clients through uncharted territory.
Coaches are seeing their clients’ industries being impacted by disruptive forces—and they’re evolving their coaching practices to meet these challenges. Here, 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council explore different sectors facing disruption and strategies they’re using to help their clients in these spaces stay grounded, resilient and ready to lead through change.
1. Healthcare
The healthcare industry has experienced major disruption, especially with the rise of telemedicine and the integration of AI in patient care. I’m helping healthcare leaders navigate these changes by focusing on building strong, adaptable teams that can embrace technology while keeping patient well-being at the heart of their decisions. - Shikha Bajaj, Own Your Color
2. Technology And Retail
Technology and retail clients are getting rocked with disruption as we navigate geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs and the expansion and adoption of AI. Critical for these teams is to maintain a culture of trust. Each person on the team must focus on their credibility, reliability and capacity for intimacy as they traverse these changes as a unified team. - Brittney Van Matre, Rewild Work Strategies
3. Manufacturing And Distribution
Manufacturing and distribution are industries seeing an increased level of consolidation. We are able to support them in building the capacity of their management teams, evaluating potential mergers and acquisitions for culture fit, and exit or transition coaching if the new owner will not fit the family business owner’s needs for future employment. Many owners regret the quality of a sale. - Natalie McVeigh, EisnerAmper
4. Public Sector
The public sector has faced massive disruption—from AI adoption to shifting citizen expectations. I coach leaders to move from rigid hierarchies to adaptive ecosystems. By embedding agile mindsets and data-informed governance, we turn disruption into a catalyst for public value and human-centered innovation. - Andre Shojaie, HumanLearn
5. Federal Leadership
My clients are leaders in the federal government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) corps. They lead programs in various disciplines—aerospace, healthcare, IT, security, policy and more. Some were let go; some chose to retire. I pivoted to coaching them to transition into new industries and leverage their spheres of influence, with new résumés and social media profiles and preparation for interviewing and salary negotiations. - Diane Hudson, cpcc-careercoach
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
6. Financial Services
The financial services industry has faced massive disruption—from AI to shifting client trust. I guide leaders to pause, reflect and lead with clarity through chaos. Using mindfulness and strategic visioning, we transform uncertainty into innovation. When grounded in purpose, even disruption becomes a launchpad for bold, conscious leadership. - Alejandro Bravo, Revelatio360
7. Marketing
Marketing has been turned upside down by AI—overnight, how agencies offer services has changed and uncertainty is everywhere. We’re helping coach clients through navigating uncertainty using emotionally intelligent leadership, fostering adaptability and creating psychologically safe teams that can innovate, stay human-centered and thrive through the unknown. - Diana Lowe, Blue Light Leadership
8. Nonprofits
In the nonprofit space, agencies are bracing for potential impacts of legislation impacting federal grants. Providing the agencies with a framework to understand their essential services and prioritize funding is critical. Equally important is defining alternative funding pipelines and creating different scenario plans to minimize any disruption to services. - Laurie Waligurski, LGW Executive Consultants, LLC
9. Hospitality
The hospitality sector has experienced devastating challenges. Since Covid, there has been a dramatic increase in the cost of goods and labor, along with talent drain. Operational fixes like higher prices, smaller portions and technology replacing human labor aside, I help my clients focus on being employers of choice. Building intentional, healthy cultures that create better customer experiences. - Edward Doherty, One Degree Coaching, LLC
10. Banking
The banking sector has experienced major disruption, driven by AI, digital assets and evolving regulations. My practice helps these clients navigate change by focusing on innovation strategy, digital transformation and cultural change management. Through consulting and workshops, I help banks rethink customer engagement and streamline operations with AI-driven automation. - Maryam Daryabegi, Innovation Bazar
11. Building And Construction
The building and construction industry has faced massive disruption with AI and emerging tech reshaping everything from project management to labor efficiency. My practice helps my clients connect tech to business through systemic team coaching, ensuring AI adoption is not just about automation, but also about transforming how teams collaborate, solve problems and drive innovation systemically. - Thomas Lim, Centre for Systems Leadership (SIM Academy)
12. Academic Medical Research
One of my clients, an academic medical researcher, relies on National Institutes of Health funding for his work. With the current freeze on NIH spending and staffing, his career is at risk. I’m helping him manage his stress while also exploring alternative career paths and taking steps to transition from academia to industry. - Kelly Stine, The Leading Light Coach
13. Pharma And Biotech
The pharma and biotech industries are navigating major disruptions from evolving regulations, AI-driven drug discovery and pricing pressures. I help leaders refine their communication strategies, ensuring they clearly convey innovation, regulatory adaptability and the impact of emerging technologies. I empower them to engage regulators, investors and the public with confidence. - Stephan Lendi, Newbury Media & Communications GmbH
14. Energy And Biochem
With political uncertainties and wars in the world today, there aren’t many industries that aren’t affected. We work with clients in the energy and biochem sectors to maintain a clear longer-term vision, knowing that this too shall pass. Yet, we also upskill their agility to navigate rapid change, helping them engage with their clients in a collaborative and creative solution-focused way. Empathy will go a long way. - Cellene Hoogenkamp, KokuaHub Inc Coaching
15. Tech And AI Startups
Tech and AI startups are facing massive disruption—new regulations, rapid innovation and market saturation. The keys to navigating this? Adaptability and smart strategy. I’ve seen companies thrive by pivoting fast, building strong partnerships and focusing on sustainable growth instead of chasing every trend. Disruption isn’t a setback—it’s an open door for those who are ready to move. - Anastasia Paruntseva, Visionary Partners Ltd.
