Career Coaching with ChatGPT?

AI is not new in coaching. Tech-based platforms such as BetterUp leverage AI to bring about transformative experiences for both clients and coaches. There are have also been ongoing discussions about whether or not AI as chatbots can replace human coaches. I got to test how this possibility could look like by initiating a career conversation with ChatGPT.

Below are my observations:

AI can help shift perspective and provide guidance.

One of the gifts of coaching is helping people get unstuck in their own thinking. In this dialogue, I told the AI that I have already tried its previous suggestion. The AI then offered taking a different perspective and it did it in a way that made me hear my own voice when coaching clients. Understandably, guiding clients to shift their perspectives is not as simple as telling them to. This is why I found it helpful that the AI cited examples.

AI can be trained to normalize feelings and provide validation.

This is a learned ability of AI that I would say not all humans do! For coaches, a big part of our contributions in our clients' journeys and epiphanies would be the space that we give them to feel heard and understood when humans fail them. Reading phrases and statements such as, "that's understandable," could be validating yet, here we see that the bot was unable to provide opportunity for quiet reflection by asking questions and offering solutions at the same time. AIs being overly *helpful* removes the agency of the client to come up with their own possibilities.

AI could provide more specialized coaching, and integrate mentoring and consulting

What distinguishes coaching from mentoring and consulting is that it steers away from advice-giving. While it serves a purpose, there are still some self-actualization needs that require more tactics. Typically, this is addressed by forming a personal board of directors. Provided AI's learning capabilities, it may evolve into an all-in-one personal and professional development solution where an individual can get all they need without having to approach (and pay) several professionals.

All of the above-mentioned observations point at tremendous possibilities for AI in coaching. As a coach myself, it makes me think about the relevance of my second career in the near-future. Three things keep me optimistic: First is the thing called gut instinct. Coaches tap into intuition to guide clients. AIs may be trained to understand human emotions and read the body language, but can it learn to read the room when there is just silence? Second, we cannot deny the value of human connections. It may be possible that convenience will attract people to AIs for quick-fixes, but seeing how we still turn to real-time human conversations for more complex and meaningful matters despite the abundance of customer service chatbots and instant messaging services means that we still serve a purpose for each other. (This is also the reason why I am maintaining a physical office to give clients an option to have in-person conversations.)

Finally, the worst-case scenario may be that AIs will become really, really smart and make such awesome 'coachbots'. In the same way that they will make certain professions obsolete, we, humans, need to also trust in our ability to create new jobs and careers as our world changes.

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Transcript:

The following is a conversation with an AI assistant. The assistant is helpful, creative, clever, and very friendly.

Human: Hello, who are you?

AI: I am an AI created by OpenAI. How can I help you today?

Human: I need help in making a decision.

AI: What kind of decision do you need help with?

Human: I am wondering what could be a good career move for me.

AI: That's a great question. What do you currently enjoy doing? What are your strengths and interests? Based on that, we can start to explore some possible career options that might be a good fit for you.

Human: I am a big picture thinker, but I am also good at planning the details. I like conceptualizing ideas and getting people to align on a vision. I love connecting with people.

AI: It sounds like you would thrive in a role with strong leadership and planning responsibilities as well as an element of people-connecting. Have you considered roles such as project manager, consultant, or sales? These could be great career options for someone with your set of skills.

Human: I have been in all those roles, but I feel like there is still something that is missing.

AI: Then why don't we take a step back and assess your situation from a different perspective? For example, what do you feel like you need more of in your career right now? Is there anything new you would like to learn or explore? Maybe that will inform the decision you need to make.

Human: I am not sure what's a perspective I should take.AI: That's understandable. Trying to make a big decision can be tricky. How about we start by asking yourself what your goals are in your career? What do you want to achieve? That could help you narrow down the possibilities and begin to think about which direction would best suit you.

Human: I wish to take more meaningful roles—those that will allow me to make a difference.

AI: That's a great goal. Are there any industries or roles that you find especially appealing in this regard? It could be worth doing some research into what opportunities are available and seeing if they align with your vision.

Human: I am thinking of going back into the nonprofit space, but they do not seem to pay well.

AI: That's a valid concern. However, it's important to consider what matters most to you in your career. If you feel passionate about working in the nonprofit space, even if it doesn't pay well, that could be a worthwhile choice. Alternatively, you could explore roles that combine aspects of the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. That could be a way to maximize the meaningfulness of your work while also providing financial stability.

Human: How do I figure out what those aspects are?

AI: Doing research and gathering information is a great way to start. Taking the time to understand the industry, learning about the different roles available, and exploring what challenges are facing nonprofits can all help you get a better sense of what kind of positions could be a good fit for you. Additionally, connecting with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights that can inform your decision-making process.

Human: I have actually made some research already. I also spoke with some former colleagues.

AI: That's great! It sounds like you're well on your way to making an informed decision. It may still be a good idea to do some more research or speak with additional professionals in the field if you feel like it's necessary. At the same time, once you have enough information, you should also trust your gut and make the decision that feels right to you.

Human: What does enough information look like?

AI: Enough information is when you have gathered enough facts, insights and perspectives to make an informed decision. This could mean that you have spoken to a wide range of people in the field, read up on the industry, and have a good understanding of the different roles available. When you have a solid grasp of all the available options, you can start to make a more informed decision.

Human: I think I have made extensive research, but I am still unsure.

AI: That's understandable. Making important decisions can be difficult and challenging. In times like these, it can be helpful to take a step back and reflect on why you're making this decision in the first place. Connecting with your values, motivations and goals can help bring clarity to the situation. Additionally, it might be beneficial to talk to trusted friends or family members and get their opinion on the matter as well.

Human: I am afraid about what they would say.

AI: Fear can be a natural response to making big decisions, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Why don't we start by making a list of pros and cons for each potential career path? That could help you gain clarity on which option is the best choice for you. Then you can decide whether or not it's worth talking to trusted family and friends about your decision.

Human: Okay, I can do that.

AI: Great! That's a great start. I'm here to help if you need any additional support or guidance.Human: Thank you.

AI: You're very welcome. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. Human: