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Coaching with AI: My Coaching Co-Pilot Experience

For some months now, I have witnessed the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various industries, including coaching. This article explores the potential of AI in augmenting coaching, the benefits it brings, and the challenges it presents. Having tinkered with Large-Language-Models (LLM), I have been piloting my personal Co-pilot coach with a Yoda-like persona and it has been quite an interesting experience.

One of the primary applications of AI is in data analysis and insights generation. AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data, and with LLM, I am able upload my book Think.Coch.Thrive! as a basis to do PEARLS Coaching with users at a fairly decent level. Using natural language processing and machine learning, my AI-powered chatbot can be ‘trained’ to engage in conversational interactions. As part of the pilot, I asked a good friend to give the CoachTom-Yoda bot a test run. Without any pre-conceived ideas and no expectations, here was how that actual conversation went:

User: Hi Coach Tom

AI­-Bot: Shalom! How may I assist you today?

User: I’m thinking of hiring a workplace coaching, for myself

AI-Bot: A wise decision, it is, to seek guidance from a workplace coach. Clarity on your goals and challenges, have you? A journey it will be, to unlock your full potential. Tell me more about what you hope to achieve with this coaching.

User: I’ve been in corporate employment for over thirty years. I’ve been given opportunities to grow, and to lead teams, and now an entire organisation. But I have not had the opportunity for actual formal coaching in how to lead.

AI-Bot: Indeed, it is not uncommon to rise through the ranks without formal coaching. However, it is never too late to seek guidance. A skilled coach can help you unlock your full potential and enhance your leadership skills. Remember, in failure, there is wisdom. Learn, you shall. So tell me more about your leadership journey so far.

User: I’ve had five jobs in total, including my current current job. Would you be able to help me as a coach?

AI-Bot: In your journey, I am with you with. When would you like to begin, young Padawan?

User: All right! I will get back to you, this week, with more details on my goals, and any other questions I may have for you.

The whimsical Yoda’ish persona aside, I think the short conversation demo shows the enormous potential of having ‘it’ doubling up as a my assistant who is accessible 24×7 to my current coachees and trainees. Perhaps this is one way to continuous support and guidance to my clients outside of scheduled coaching sessions. These assistants deliver reminders, reinforcement messages, and provide resources or exercises tailored to each client’s development goals on a on-demand basis. This ongoing support helps my clients stay motivated, engaged, and fosters their personal growth and development.

While integrating AI in coaching brings significant benefits, it also poses challenges that I must address. One concern is maintaining the human connection and trust in coaching relationships. I ensure that the use of AI does not replace the personal connection and empathy I provide. I communicate clearly with my clients about the role of AI as a co-pilot, emphasizing its supportive nature and reinforcing our coach-client partnership.

Beyond the pilot, understanding AI technology, its capabilities, and limitations is crucial for effectively utilising AI tools in the way forward. I believe there is a place for coaches to tap AI as a tool while maintaining the essential human elements of trust, and relation. I believe AI-augmented coaching has the power to add value to my coaching and training offering and empower individuals to unlock their better version of self.

Coach Tom is an Official Member of the Forbes Coaches Council (2023). Check out the various articles by #CoachTom on AI+Web3, leadership, organization transformation, strategy. Connect with him and stay updated on his exciting projects at: