I asked ChatGPT, 'what is the future of coaching?'. The following, in bold, was the response. The rest of it is my two cents!
The future of coaching is likely to continue to evolve and expand in response to changes in technology, society, and the economy. Some areas that may see growth in the future include: (well-articulated intro, I felt)
- Online and virtual coaching allows coaches to work with clients remotely and can make coaching more accessible and convenient for clients. Much coaching was online earlier. Now the acceptability for online has improved. Clients and coaches, and also the stakeholders, don't feel the need for face-to-face interactions. It is good not only for the people involved but also for the environment. Just like the battle for WFH Vs. WFO, a phygital version, may prevail in the long run, though physical meetings are only "subject to mutual convenience." We reluctantly moved our coach training from fully physical to online, courtesy covid restrictions. The virtual experience will help coaches to build the ability to minimize the difference between the physical and virtual.
Like all good relationships, the constraints of time and space do not matter in coaching too. Many constraints are in our minds.
- Corporate coaching can help companies improve their performance and competitiveness by developing the skills and abilities of their employees. More corporates are embracing coaching. Systemic team coaching is gaining more prominence. That may be the road to democratizing coaching, not mere price-cutting and making it 'affordable' to leaders and managers at middle levels of the organization. And it is good for the teams too. We got to move from #I2We2He. 'He' being the Divine (Purusha, spiritually) and its manifestation, including the Prakriti (Nature, environment).
ROI of Enchantment is our punchline. It has to be thus both ROI from purely transactional and financial metrics. Also, beyond.... enchanting. Coaching is a science/process and an art. Similarly, while corporate stakeholders will be constrained to short-term benefits (ROI), they should not lose sight of maximizing potential at all levels. That is where leadership development truly belongs.
- Life coaching can help individuals achieve personal and professional goals and improve their overall well-being. Real coaching helps 'to maximize potential, personal and professional.' (Courtesy
International Coaching Federation
definition of coaching). Performance, productivity, profitability, profits, or any other outcomes. These should be natural benefits of maximizing potential. That would naturally take care of well-being. Often we chase numbers at the cost of empathy, wellness, and growth.
- In addition, there is likely to be an increased demand for coaches with specialized skills and knowledge, such as those who focus on specific industries or areas of expertise, such as leadership or career development. This is an interesting observation. Classical coaching does not depend on past industry experience or specific knowledge/skills. For example, I left science in the 12th grade (Intermediate in Hyderabad). But some of my best clients are techies and pharma professionals. Fewer bankers :) A professional coach depends on the coaching framework, including (ICF) coaching competencies, coaching models, and tools. No other crutches are required.
I am not yet sure if that is applicable to systemic team coaching. I would like to hear from friends here from the coaching fraternity. I feel team experience, whether part of teams in school/college to organizations, will help a team coach. What do you feel?
Overall, the future of coaching appears to be bright, with many opportunities for growth and development, driven by the increasing awareness of the benefits of coaching and the growing demand for professional development and self-improvement. I can't agree more! Hence I maintain,
