Latest updated: 11 January 2024

Artificial intelligence can already function as a crucial tool in coaching today. Research indicates that AI has tremendous potential to support humans in areas such as education and personal development. However, to achieve desired results, it's important to understand how the tool works and the reactions it elicits from people. When used correctly, AI can serve as a valuable complement in the coaching process – with the significant advantage of being available 24 hours a day.

Personal and professional development are becoming increasingly important in today's workplace. This is due to the increasing complexity of both the work itself and the dynamics among employees. Today's co-workers face higher demands than ever before, leading to a record-high need for leadership and employee development and coaching.

Yet, our leaders' time is still limited. Many managers are on the verge of burnout because they are increasingly expected to guide and coach their employees while also managing their administrative tasks. Stress levels are high, and the need for external support is significant.

Often, external coaches are sought after, but they are naturally not available as frequently as clients might need them, especially during a developmental phase.

This is where artificial intelligence comes into play. Research has shown that AI has nearly unlimited potential as an aid for humans in areas such as education, learning, skill development, career guidance, and coaching.

Boosting Employee Development

AI is useful in coaching for several reasons. Perhaps the most significant advantage of AI coaching is its availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A client who seeks guidance the moment a question arises can turn to an AI coach without having to wait for the next coaching session.

This means that clients can make much more significant progress between sessions than is currently possible. When used correctly, AI coaching can provide a substantial boost to all forms of leadership training and employee development. The bar is raised, and the human coach takes on a more exclusive role, while the AI coach assists with aspects such as structure and goal setting.

Research has shown that AI coaching works best when the fundamental areas of concern for the client have already been identified. The human coach is necessary to help clarify what needs to be addressed, including identifying the problems or difficulties to tackle and the new habits to establish. The empathetic ability of the human coach is crucial, especially when the client needs help identifying their goals.

Once the client's goals and needs are identified, it becomes much easier for the AI coach to assist in creating a plan with clear, measurable milestones. The AI coach can also provide concrete and practical tips on how the client can achieve these milestones and what it takes to succeed.

To achieve the desired results with AI coaching, it is essential to ensure that clients/employees feel comfortable with the tool and its security and do not perceive it as a threat to their privacy. They must also trust that AI is a serious tool whose guidance is worth taking seriously.

Self-Determination Provides Security

To ensure that clients/employees view the use of AI coaching positively, it is necessary to establish a sense of psychological safety and security. This is done by explaining the technical security and how their personal data and privacy are protected. However, more is required for people to trust the tool itself.

An important element in creating the required trust is allowing clients/employees to participate in shaping how AI coaching is used. Ensure that the idea of using AI is introduced early in the coaching process, so that the concept can be established and accepted. Listen to the client's/employee's needs and explain that AI coaching can be tailored to meet those needs. If there is a specific goal that the team needs to achieve, the AI coach can be customized to focus more on that goal, for example.

The idea that one can influence the direction of AI coaching creates a sense that AI is a tool and an aid that serves humans and is driven by our real needs. This makes it easier to accept feedback from an AI coach, especially in sensitive areas such as personal development and efficiency. When the client can influence the use of AI, they feel that they are making their own choices.

Human coaching will continue to play a vital role, but because no human coach can always be available, artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in the future of leadership and employee development and coaching. AI still has its limitations; it is easier to achieve results when the client's needs are presented in as simple, clear, and concrete a manner as possible.

However, as a tool and complement to human coaching, AI is revolutionary, and those who can create trust and acceptance for the tool can benefit greatly from it and achieve a significant boost in leadership and employee development.

Summary – How AI can strengthen coaching:

1. In today's workplace, there is a significant need for personal and professional development, while managers have limited time. Human coaching, complemented by AI coaching available 24/7, offers a solution to this problem.
2. Research suggests that AI coaching has enormous potential in leadership and employee development, especially when a desired goal has already been identified.
3. To achieve results with AI coaching, it is crucial to establish trust in the tool, including allowing clients/employees to influence how it is used.