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Do you notice subtle shifts in the world of coaching? That instinct—your hunch—could hold the key to shaping the future of our profession.

A hunch is a brief yet meaningful observation that offers insight into potential future developments. In coaching, hunches might reveal how client needs, industry trends, or societal changes could evolve. While these signals may seem small now, they could shape how coaching impacts people and planet tomorrow.

We want to hear from you.

Share your hunches about the future of coaching—those sparks of insight that hint at what is emerging. What changes are you noticing in client behaviors, technology, or coaching practices?

By submitting your hunch, you will contribute to a dynamic collection of ideas shaping the future of coaching. Explore the curated gallery of hunches to see what others are observing and spark your imagination about what is next for our field.

How to participate:

  1. Observe: What shifts, patterns, or anomalies are you noticing in coaching?
  2. Reflect: How might these observations shape the future of our profession?
  3. Share: Submit your hunch using the form below.

Let’s co-create the future of coaching, one hunch at a time. What’s your hunch?

Comments (19)

  1. lawsuits across the United States against Life Coaches like that one in Utah could push the industry toward regulation. It feels like coaches working in areas close to healthcare (like ADHD or wellness coaching) might end up needing licenses, like therapists

  2. coaches could start using VR for things like leadership simulations or team-building exercises? I read about a tech company in Singapore using VR to train employees. It feels like this could bring a new level of immersion to coaching, especially for skill development.

  3. I started using this mindfulness app that links to my smartwatch, and it’s been a game changer for tracking my stress. It made me think, what if coaching uses more of that? A client wearing something that tracks their focus or anxiety during sessions and you could see that data. It feels like it could take coaching to a whole new level to use tech with a personal touch.

  4. with people working later in life retirement coaching could be huge. Coaches could help clients design new paths like starting a business or volunteering. Tools like VR might even let them test these lives first.

  5. more AI coaches and tools mix coaching with advising or consulting. Many coaches already bring expertise from second careers. Maybe the future is a hybrid coach—someone who mentors, trains, and inspires.

  6. What if coaching sessions happened in the metaverse? Coaches could meet clients in virtual spaces like retreat centers or dream offices. Translation tools could even remove language barriers making global coaching communities a thing.

  7. …what if blockchain reinvented coaching credentials? Clients could review coaches and share the experience. Coaches in non-Western regions might benefit by showing their impact without needing traditional certifications.

  8. I read about how some companies in Europe are using storytelling as part of their leadership coaching. I wonder if we will see more coaching methods to combine traditional practices with modern techniques?

  9. as a Business coach teacher of university, my students come into coaching training with a wide range of qualifications and experience and more business coaches and tools mix coaching with advising, consulting or mentoring. Many Business coaches already bring expertise from second careers. Maybe the Business coach future is a “coachsultant” – someone who mentors, trains, and inspires.

  10. the long-term impacts of COVID-19 are reshaping coaching. Youth face heightened loneliness, device addiction, and mental health struggles. Lockdowns deepened disconnection, driving reliance on screens while reducing authentic connections. Coaching must foster resilience, self-awareness, and real-world engagement. By blending innovative, tech-driven approaches with a focus on community and belonging, we can help youth break cycles of dependency and thrive in an uncertain world.

  11. : Greetings from Argentina! Leadership skills will evolve through immersive simulations and role-playing, enabling safe practice in decision-making and conflict resolution. Smart tools like wearables and productivity apps will measure coaching outcomes, focusing on productivity, well-being, and balance. Coaching for adaptability, resilience, and prediction will grow. AI and big data will make coaching more precise, identifying real-time patterns for effective adjustments and improved results.

  12. The industry of coaching is expanding still and while this is a great thing, one of the issues that may arise from this trend is incompetence.
    I have participated in over 10 coaching courses in the last 24 months, and I notice an open-door policy on two fronts; firstly, anyone can make courses given the perception that the learning is academic. Secondly, there is no check on participants that may come to the industry light-minded and sometime ignorant of the values and responsibilities.

  13. … people are becoming more aware of the need for courageous conversations. Many now seek coaching not just for goals but to navigate difficult discussions—at work, in relationships, and in personal growth. Avoidance is being replaced with a desire for clarity, assertiveness, and emotional intelligence. My hunch is that the future of coaching is equipping people to embrace tough conversations with confidence, making open dialogue a key driver of growth.

  14. the coaching profession will be the number one human services intervention that people and institutions seek relative to varied personal and professional challenges. As the profession continues to develop and evolve, the evidence, results, and effectiveness of coaching set a renewed precedent about the industry. Making coaching a viable human services intervention option.

  15. Coaching is becoming an integral part of an organization Talent Development agenda. Not only critical and high performing talent but even a low performing employee in an organization can get greatly benefitted through coaching intervention in achieving their desired goals.

  16. ‘coaching’ will be not just a competitive advantage but an essential life skill (that will need to be taught and learnt consciously) in the years to come. Fundamental to building connections and relationship – listening, presence, building trust and psychological safety – will take center stage among the skills needed to thrive at work and in life. Creative Thinking, what we call coaching mindset – open, non-judgmental, curious and flexible mindset will be a differentiator in an AI-led world.

  17. coaching practices are evolving at different speeds across regions. In the north America and Europe, the field is more mature, especially within large corporations and multinationals. In the Middle East, coaching is still developing, with a growing interest in accredited training programs. Government organizations, in particular, are investing in upskilling their executives and HR professionals to become manager-coaches and internal coaches, often through large-scale programs.

  18. AI will continue to develop rapidly and surpass human coaches in terms of coaching techniques in collaboration with human coaches. As a result, excellent coaching by AI coaches will become available at very low cost or even free of charge, and students, young people, people in conflict zones, and people living in poverty who have not been able to receive coaching, helping them carve out a richer life. AI coach will also support human coach to develop their unique strenghth.

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Browse Hunches

Explore hunches from around the world about the future of coaching. Share, download, and print your favorites!

I have a feeling that...AI will continue to develop rapidly and surpass human coaches in terms of coaching techniques in collaboration with human coaches. As a result, excellent coaching by AI coaches will become available at very low cost or even free of charge, and students, young people, people in conflict zones, and people living in poverty who have…
Akihiko Morita
FEB 2025
Japan
I am noticing that...coaching practices are evolving at different speeds across regions. In the north America and Europe, the field is more mature, especially within large corporations and multinationals. In the Middle East, coaching is still developing, with a growing interest in accredited training programs. Government organizations, in particular, are investing in upskilling their executives and HR professionals…
Jihane Labib
FEB 2025
United Arab Emirates
I have a feeling that...Organization will use coaching for mental wellbeing
Maleha
FEB 2025
Kuwait
I am noticing that...Coaching is becoming an integral part of an organization Talent Development agenda. Not only critical and high performing talent but even a low performing employee in an organization can get greatly benefitted through coaching intervention in achieving their desired goals.
SARVESH
FEB 2025
India
I have a feeling that...‘coaching’ will be not just a competitive advantage but an essential life skill (that will need to be taught and learnt consciously) in the years to come. Fundamental to building connections and relationship – listening, presence, building trust and psychological safety – will take center stage among the skills needed to thrive at work and…
Swapna Mirashi
FEB 2025
Singapore
I have a feeling that...the coaching profession will be the number one human services intervention that people and institutions seek relative to varied personal and professional challenges. As the profession continues to develop and evolve, the evidence, results, and effectiveness of coaching set a renewed precedent about the industry. Making coaching a viable human services intervention option.
DEX Life Coaching Services
JAN 2025
Trinidad & Tobago

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