Shaping the Future of Coaching, Together
Welcome to the Center for the Future of Coaching at the ICF Thought Leadership Institute—your futurist resource for navigating the next era of coaching.
COMING JANUARY 2026
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The Future of Coaching in Organizations
October 2025
Envision a future where coaching is integrated into both the culture and structure of organizations. How might coaching transform organizational potential?
organizations are view coaching not as an exclusive, high-investment intervention for senior leaders, but as a democratised capability embedded across levels. More companies are experimenting with team coaching circles, internal coach certifications, and leader-as-coach models. The next frontier seems to be the emergence of coaching culture-where conversations become more reflective, feedback becomes more generative, and leadership is expressed through curiosity rather than command.
conversations continue with clients about AI’s impact and amongst coaches, to understand how we move from fear of being replaced by AI, to embracing AI as a resource. How does the coaching profession utilize this technology ethically and practically?
the growing popularity of self-coaching tools. I suspect that AI-based apps will become more and more advanced “thinking partners” that can tailor-make prompts, monitor moods and thought loops, and incorporate neuroscience to nudge “day-to-day self-inquiry”. Human coaches will endure and move toward more of a supervision role for these self-coaching experiences, to help ensure clients are aware of and staying on track with their deeper goals.
Mental health awareness and support both are increasing rapidly. However, mental health specialities are not as discreetly established as those of physical health.
Boundaries between therapy and coaching are often faded by clients as well as coaches. Since, coaching does not have practice specific educational, licensing or certicational requirements, it risks the speciality of the practice.
I feel coaching industry will benefit from regulations.
– “The dawn is reserved for those who wake up with determination and seize opportunity.”*
– *”Each new daybreak presents a fresh page in the narrative of your existence.”
What’s your hunch about the future of coaching?
We want to hear from you! Tell us your hunch and explore others from around the world.
What’s your hunch about the future of coaching?
We want to hear from you! Tell us your hunch and explore others from around the world.
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Share your hunch about the future of coaching and explore other hunches from around the world
Ecosystem-centered Coaching: Futures Thinking for Real-World Impact
In this 4-part series, discover how futures thinking can empower you to navigate the evolving role of coaching within interconnected ecosystems. Through our four-phase framework—Observe, Envision, Anticipate, Act— you will learn how to prepare for the future of ecosystem-centered practices, integrate AI and new technologies, and embrace ethical, holistic approaches that create real-world impact for you, your clients, and your communities.
Apply the futures thinking loop to coaching
Futures Thinking fosters a mindset that embraces change, encourages innovation, and empowers action toward desired futures.
Apply the futures thinking loop to coaching
Futures Thinking fosters a mindset that embraces change, encourages innovation, and empowers action toward desired futures.
Featured Wisdom Weavers
Get to know our Wisdom Weavers — global thought leaders, researchers, and experts in the fields of coaching, work, education, planetary ecology, and well-being.
Top Articles
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The Future of Well-being: Sustaining holistic growth and purposeful living
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Foundations for the Future of Work
Global Digital Library
Discover free articles featuring key insights on the future of coaching and its impact in the realms of well-being, work, education, and planetary ecology from worldwide thought leaders.






















































