AI Coaching is Closer Than You Think
If you're a coach relying on platforms like Ezra, BetterUp, Lyra, or CoachHub for clients, this episode is a crucial wake-up call. Sarah breaks down groundbreaking research proving AI coaching isn't some distant possibility – it's happening now and performing at surprisingly high levels.
The Game-Changing Research
A new study in Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice examined whether AI coaching agents could meet professional human coach standards. The results should get every platform-dependent coach's attention.
Researchers used AI agents supported by human experts in a "Wizard of Oz" setup and found striking results:
Active Listening: AI showed strong capability, with clients feeling genuinely heard and understood.
Powerful Questioning: Observers noted AI-generated questions effectively helped clients reflect and gain insights.
Client Experience: Clients said AI sessions felt like real coaching and helped them progress toward goals.
Most significantly, observers rated one AI session as demonstrating competencies "comparable to a credentialed coach." This isn't theory – it's reality.
The Platform Threat
For platform-dependent coaches, this research reveals an uncomfortable business truth. AI coaching offers platforms the perfect solution:
Platforms already treat coaching as a commodity, controlling pricing and client acquisition while coaches deliver assigned sessions. When AI can provide "good enough" coaching at zero ongoing cost, human coaches become expendable.
The Commoditization Reality
Platform coaches already experience limited control – you don't set fees, pricing, or acquire clients. Your income depends entirely on platform decisions. Add AI into this equation, and fewer opportunities will exist as platforms prioritise cheaper, scalable AI solutions.
Your Lifeline: Micro Niches
The solution lies entirely within your control. Platforms want scale – serving massive audiences cost-effectively. They have zero interest in small, tightly defined micro niches, and that's your opportunity.
While micro niches seem less exciting than global platform reach, they offer something more valuable: stable, profitable, sustainable income that you control.
Why Micro Niches Work
Well-chosen micro niches enable six-figure or multiple six-figure businesses over time. This creates something AI can't replicate: deep understanding of specific challenges, personal trust-based relationships, and specialized expertise from focused practice.
Act Now, Not Later
AI coaching is already here, performing at professional levels. The question isn't whether this impacts coaching, but whether you'll wait for AI to replace you or build an AI-proof business now.
With clear niche focus and solid client acquisition strategy, your coaching future can be secure and prosperous. Stop depending on platforms and start building something you control.
Ready to future-proof your coaching business?Visit thecoachingrevolution.com and click "Book a Call" to discuss how this works in practice.
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