How to Thrive as a Coach in a Digital World: Coaching with Technology

Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The rise of the robot coach? (14 minute read)
PART 1: CONTEXT SETTING
1 The story so far (23 minute read)
2 Back to basics (24 minute read)
3 Undeniable opportunities (28 minute read)
4 Inevitable risks (36 minute read)
5 Ethical quandaries (25 minute read)
PART 2: THE COACHING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE
6 Breakdown of the coaching lifecycle (15 minute read)
7 Administration and productivity (25 minute read)
8 Coaching management and oversight (34 minute read)
9 Data gathering and analytics (31 minute read)
10 Coaching conversations (42 minute read)
11 Robot coaches (37 minute read)
PART 3: THE FUTURE
12 A bleak future (15 minute read)
13 A bright future (26 minute read)
14 A likely future (14 minute read)
15 A clarion call to action (15 minute read)
16 Conclusion: The rise of the human coach (11 minute read)
Glossary
Bibliography

Technology offers coaches new horizons and a chance to connect with clients with new techniques. This book addresses these opportunities as well as the dilemmas and difficult questions that are part of the new landscape. What will happen when a big coaching platform is hacked? Will coaches ever be replaced by robots? Or perhaps, when will coaches be replaced by robots? As digital tools become increasingly enmeshed in our world, it is essential for coaches to use technology wisely, to build rapport and operate effectively. With the support of this book, coaches can use technology to enhance their practice and feel confident when working with clients. 

By breaking coaching technology down to its foundational principles, this book equips coaches to enrich their practice by proactively identifying its benefits, while protecting themselves and their clients from its threats. A coach reading this book will:

• Unearth the truth behind the glossy veneer of technology, to discover what makes it work and why
• Explore the capabilities of technology to disrupt coaching, and discover what to do to optimise its use
• Develop an understanding of the sorts of technology available to enhance coaching practice at strategic and tactical levels
• Experiment with futurology, constructing a plan to preserve the profession of coaching

"The future lies in coach-AI partnerships — using the strengths of both to provide even better client support. This book is perfectly timed to support coaches in making the transition to such partnerships."
David Clutterbuck, Special Ambassador, European Mentoring and Coaching Council

"Sam has written a thoughtful and engaging book that will help coaches of any technical ability to navigate the digital world."
Christine Bakewell, Board Member for Technology Thought Leadership UK ICF, IT Consultant and Leadership Coach

"A must read if you are a coach or people leader that wants to explore what is possible when coaching with tech.  It made me truly consider how technology could help democratise coaching. Eye opening stuff!"
Liz Rochester, Director and Owner of Liz Rochester & Associates Ltd, Voluntary UK Chapter President for the International Coaching Federation 2021

"What the book does admirably is to provide an entertaining, enlightening, thought-provoking and practically useful overview of where we are with ‘coachtech’, and where we’re likely to go with it, should we be open to the possibilities it offers." 
James Bridgeman, Co-Editor, Coaching Perspectives magazine

With a background in technology assurance, Sam Isaacson now leads Grant Thornton’s coaching services and is active with the coaching professional bodies. He has advised a range of organisations, from local charities through to global companies and government bodies. Sam led the introduction of the UK’s new Coaching Professional apprenticeship and is the first person to have coached a client in virtual reality.