Squiggly Careers Podcast

Episode: CEO Shell-Shedding Moments: Opening Up about Mental Health at Work with Zaid Al-Qassab

Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Sarah Ellis
Guest: Zaid Al-Qassab (CEO)

Episode Overview

This special episode in the "Shell-Shedding Moments" series explores vulnerability and growth through difficulty in the workplace. Sarah speaks with Zaid Al-Qassab about his personal experience as a CEO opening up about mental health, specifically depression, and the challenges, reactions, and lessons learned from shedding this particular "shell." The conversation aims to normalize tough moments—even at the top—and to offer practical guidance for anyone experiencing their own shell-shedding periods in their career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life as a CEO — Reality Check

• Day-to-Day Focus (02:39)
  • Zaid debunks myths about CEOs "running companies" in a hands-on fashion.
  • Splits his role roughly into thirds:
    • Strategic planning for the business's future
    • Shaping people, tools, and capabilities ("lots of going around, meeting people...")
    • Engaging with investors and analysts (a “strange world that works very differently” from how most people imagine)
  • "The CEO doesn't really do their job...they're rarely there when they're working...the CEO is almost anonymous to them." (03:01, Zaid)

2. Defining a Shell-Shedding Moment (04:43)

• Metaphor: Lobsters periodically shed their shell to grow, which leaves them momentarily vulnerable.
• Human Parallel: Career "shell-shedding" often occurs during vulnerable, energy-zapping periods.

3. Opening Up about Mental Health - The Big Reveal

• Decision to "Come Out" at Work (06:03)
  • Zaid describes the impact and risk involved in telling others at work he has depression.
  • “I'm going to use the word coming out for this...and there isn't really a terminology for it.” (06:09, Zaid)
• Taboo and Stereotypes
  • Mental health issues remain under-discussed; only a fraction of those affected actually talk about it.
  • Especially tough in high-energy, creative industries where expectations run counter to depressive symptoms.
  • “Resilience and stability, which is what you look for in leaders, they're kind of the opposite of how the media portrays depressive people.” (07:19, Zaid)

4. What Prompted the Decision to Share (08:35)

• Intentional, but Also Self-Care
  • Lifestyle changes (stopping drinking, leaving early for tennis) became hard to explain without context.
  • “Frankly, it was just really hard work, hiding the fact that there were things I was doing because I didn’t want to say, ‘I'm managing my depression.’” (10:41, Zaid)
• Partly Altruistic, Partly Necessary
  • Wanted to help others.
  • Also needed to "help myself a little bit about it" by being authentic.

5. Reactions and Unexpected Outcomes (12:08)

• Surprise at Emotional Difficulty
  • Telling his boss brought him to tears, despite preparation.
  • “The first person I told at work was my boss and I cried, which I wasn't expecting to.” (12:16, Zaid)
• Private Gratitude from Peers
  • Senior people confided in Zaid, revealing a wider, hidden prevalence of mental health issues.
  • Recognizes his privilege and seniority may have made it easier than for more junior staff, but encourages openness: "I would still encourage them because I know what a huge boost it is to be able to be open about those things." (13:26, Zaid)

6. Learning in the (Hard) Moment (14:12)

• Feedback as a Learning Accelerant
  • One team member expressed confusion about how to respond to his disclosure, leading to an adjustment in how Zaid shared his story.
  • “I needed to explain to people why I was doing this and what I wanted them to do in return.” (15:51, Zaid)
• Fast Feedback Matters
  • Learning to notice reactions and adjust, rather than sticking rigidly to a script.
• The Fly on the Wall Technique
  • Importance of getting distance and imagining oneself as an outsider to better notice dynamics and reactions.
  • “Try and forget what you know about the situation or the business and observe as if you're a fly who's just flown into the room...” (18:53, Zaid)

7. Advice for Listeners in Their Own Shell-Shedding Moments (20:31)

• You Are Not Alone
  • Even CEOs get made redundant.
  • “Use your friends, family, peers at work...Use a mentor. Use a coach if you’re lucky enough to have one...The most important thing is you’re not alone.” (20:41–21:19, Zaid)
• Support Networks Matter
  • Leans on his family, friends, and confidants for navigating tough times.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The CEO doesn't really do their job...the CEO is almost anonymous to them."
  — Zaid Al-Qassab (03:01)
• “I'm going to use the word coming out for this...there isn't really a terminology for it.”
  — Zaid (06:09)
• “Resilience and stability, which is what you look for in leaders, they're kind of the opposite of how the media portrays depressive people.”
  — Zaid (07:19)
• “It was just really hard work, hiding the fact that there were things I was doing because I didn't want to say, ‘I'm managing my depression.’”
  — Zaid (10:41)
• “The first person I told at work was my boss and I cried, which I wasn't expecting to.”
  — Zaid (12:16)
• "I needed to explain to people why I was doing this and what I wanted them to do in return."
  — Zaid (15:51)
• "Try and forget what you know about the situation or the business and observe as if you're a fly who's just flown into the room..."
  — Zaid (18:53)
• “You are not alone. Use the experiences of other people. Find out how they would approach it.”
  — Zaid (20:41)

Timestamped Highlights

• [02:39] – The real functions of a CEO described with transparency.
• [06:03] – Zaid shares his decision to be open about depression at work.
• [10:41] – Discusses the difficulty of hiding lifestyle changes made to manage mental health.
• [12:16] – Emotional impact of first disclosing his depression to his boss.
• [13:26] – Stories of confidential gratitude from peers—the silent majority.
• [15:51] – Importance of clarifying intentions and expectations when opening up.
• [18:53] – Advocacy for the "fly on the wall" perspective as a growth tool.
• [20:41] – Final advice: leveraging networks and not facing hardship alone.

Practical Takeaways

• If you're facing a tough, vulnerable career moment (“shell-shedding”):
  • Know you’re not alone—even CEOs have these experiences.
  • Sharing vulnerability can benefit both yourself and others.
  • Adjust communication based on feedback; clarify your needs when disclosing personal challenges.
  • Use support networks—family, friends, trusted peers, mentors.
  • Employ the “fly on the wall” technique to gain perspective and learn in the moment, not just after.
  • The journey is universal—the payoff is growth, resilience, and authenticity.

Tone:
The conversation is warm, honest, and practical, blending personal storytelling with actionable insights and encouragement for anyone navigating their own squiggly career path.