The Human Heart in a Digital Age: Coaching’s Gentle Revolution

In a world that’s shifting faster than we can track—powered by AI, global uncertainty, and constant reinvention—I left the International Coaching Federation Conference feeling more certain than ever about one thing: coaching has never been more essential. Those three days offered more than professional development; they were a reminder of the extraordinary impact real conversation, human connection, and intentional reflection can have. The insights I took away weren’t just for coaches—they’re lessons for anyone looking to lead, grow, and thrive in this evolving world.

What Value Does Coaching Offer?

We tend to remember what’s said at the beginning and the end of an experience. After attending a three-day conference and participating in fifteen workshops and discussions, only a handful of insights truly stayed with me. But the message that hit me the hardest came at the very end—during the closing keynote delivered by Nilofer Merchant.

I had never heard of Nilofer before this conference, but after reading her bio, I was instantly impressed. She spent 25 years in technology, personally launching more than 100 products and services—many of which we use every day—generating $18 billion in revenue. She’s ranked among the most influential management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, named a top HR thinker by HR Magazine, one of Fast Company’s “25 Smartest,” and even called “visionary” by CNBC. And now, she is releasing a new book, Our Best Work, coming in February 2026.

So I asked myself: Why is Nilofer speaking to a room full of coaches, at a nonprofit conference, when she could easily be elsewhere earning far more?

Her message centered on what’s holding organizations back from doing their best work. She believes that 84% of organizational value comes from intangibles—the qualities that are difficult to measure. And because organizations tend to focus on what they can measure (“what gets measured gets done”), they often miss where real value lies.

Nilofer’s call was for companies to cultivate butterfly cultures—environments where creativity, intuition, and curiosity can truly flourish. And in this future, she sees coaches as crucial catalysts, because “conversations are the beginning of change.”

That idea left me with a resounding WOW. In this rapidly evolving world—with AI playing a bigger role every day—coaching isn’t becoming obsolete. Quite the opposite: coaching is becoming even more essential.

*Kathryn and fellow coaches in an AI-generated environment*

How Coaching Can Shape Our Future

AI Will Transform Coaching… But Not Replace It

I’ll admit it—I breathed a sigh of relief at this conference. The looming question in everyone’s mind is: Will AI replace coaching?

The best response came from a panel of Master Certified Coaches (MCCs) who explained that coaching offers something AI can’t replicate:
presence, emotional resonance, and the experience of truly being seen.

Just this week, a client thanked me for making her feel deeply heard. A machine might say all the right words, but it cannot offer connection.

That said, AI can enhance coaching. ICF hosted a session on using AI to streamline processes and strengthen foundational coaching skills—including how to design powerful prompts. I left motivated to continue learning in this area. (If you’re interested, I can share more about the ICF’s AI resources in a future post.)

Coaching Has the Potential to Help Save the Planet

One question I often sit with is: What small role can I play in addressing climate change?

A session led by Sarah Dewitt—a Regenerative Development & Human Sustainability Champion—gave me a surprising sense of hope.

She explained that modernity has separated people from nature. While it has brought incredible progress, it has also created systems focused solely on predictability, profit, and control—often at the expense of the planet.

Sarah offered a regenerative approach instead—one centered on purpose, intention, and life-affirming choices. She shared a model for regenerative coaching that helps people reconnect with themselves, allowing them to reconnect with the larger world.

I left feeling empowered. If coaches can ask more regenerative, life-centered questions, we can help people deepen their relationship with their communities, their environments, and the planet itself.

Inspirational Coaching Is What Changes the World — and Grows Your Business

As a solopreneur, I’m always seeking ways to make a greater impact and build a thriving business. One of the most encouraging insights from the conference was this:
The highest-paid coaches are those who are inspirational.

Being “inspirational” isn’t about delivering ten quick tips to be a better manager. It means helping clients experience lasting transformation—getting underneath the symptoms and uncovering the true causes of challenges before deciding what solutions will actually work.

This kind of coaching requires time, collaboration, and courage from both the coach and the client. It’s also the work that truly drives sustainable change within people and organizations.

As someone who helps clients pursue transformational change, I sometimes wonder how to articulate the value of something that isn’t neatly quantifiable. However, this reminder reinforced what I already believed: sustainable change is worth the commitment—for the client, the coach, and the future of the organization.

I hope these conference insights give you a reason to consider working with a coach—or, if your organization already invests in coaching, a reason to deepen that commitment.

I’ll be sharing more reflections in upcoming posts, including: