In the past few years, technology has reshaped the way we live. The increase in digitalisation has influenced our quality of life and how people act and interact. Unsurprisingly, the coaching industry has also been impacted, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Automated coaching is one-way executive coaching.
As the Forbes Coaches Council members have pointed out, it will evolve in five to ten years.
‘They say, in real estate, success is based on location, location, location. In coaching, we will be saying technology, technology, technology. Coaches will differentiate themselves in the future by connecting through platforms and being able to meet almost anywhere and anytime, regardless of their physical location. Coaches will engage clients through micro-learning sessions and gamification and add value by providing clients access to content beyond their counsel’.
Brad Federman,
F&H Solutions Group
The impact of this can be intimidating for some. However, there’s always a way to make an opportunity out of a challenge, hence learning how to use technology to match our coaching skills.
Ways to Prepare for the Future of Coaching
Here are some ways you can gear up and prepare for the future of coaching using the latest technology:
- Use video conferencing in addition to face-to-face coaching. Nothing can ever replace the face-to-face human experience, but coaching via Zoom or Skype is becoming conventional these days. It still enables eye-to-eye contact minus the geographical barriers.
- Start studying apps and tools that can make coaching more accessible. You may be an expert coach, but you can still improve the experience for you and your client by arming yourself with powerful analytical tools, monitoring apps, and other tools that provide accurate feedback and monitoring.
- Use social media to increase your visibility. According to Statista, in 2019, it is estimated that there will be around 2.77 billion social media users worldwide. That’s a lot of people to miss if you don’t join the bandwagon and learn to embrace technology. Failure to do so reduces your visibility with prospective clients.
- Consider launching a website. Searches on Google happen for everything and anything 24/7. It is estimated that there are over 63,000 searchers per second. Therefore, your prospective client is likely to be one of them. Consequently, having your own website (shop window) is vital to being found.
- Get yourself accredited. Accreditation verifies you are properly trained and insured (where it’s standard in countries to be insured); it also authenticates your experience and assesses your skills and knowledge. Professional accreditation through the IAPC&M increases your confidence and credibility in meeting the client’s needs. It also builds trust and confidence in the coaching profession for everyone’s benefit. Apply for accreditation for your professional coaching or mentoring status.