The Intersection of AI and Journal-Based Coaching: Transforming Careers

Journal-based coaching is one of the greatest things people can do to develop and accelerate their career. I think it involves meditation, reflection and thought provocation. At its core, simplistic level, when you journal, the process makes you slow down. You have to write, which is typically slower for most people than typing or talking. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a very verbal person, so I love to journal because it slows me down and calms me.

Something interesting is coming. I think there will eventually be an intersection between artificial intelligence and journal-based coaching. How can AI deliver content, coaching, questions, quotes, insight, and thought-provoking content? Then, somebody will journal and answer those questions and maybe use the information to ignite another conversation. Here's an example.

Let's say I'm coaching someone and provide an AI tool to start the conversation. It may give someone a softer way to start, meaning they're not on the spot with their boss, which some may find intimidating, depending on the existing relationship. We ask them to journal and answer questions, and they provide their feelings and insights based on those questions. Then, they share it maybe once a month with their coach or boss.

Think about somebody who's being coached a few times a month. They have to do an AI interactive session and then they have to journal. We give them a notebook, literally a paperback or hardback notebook similar to these, and ask them to take the process very seriously. Because journaling has been proven to reduce stress and improve learning retention since it brings other senses into play. What's really cool about it is it gives you the opportunity to engage with a person who's more carefully and calmly prepared. Think about that.

How often do we have leaders call someone into their office, and as we start to ask them questions, the person feels as though they are put on the spot and feels uncomfortable? They give us answers they think leaders want to hear, versus what they actually think. The alternative is this method with journal-based coaching. They could come into their manager's or coach's office and say I've got my journal entries. When combined with AI coaching automation, like AI Coaching Partners, where the assessment is completed in advance and questions are provided to drive the conversation before it even starts, that's a powerful and extremely helpful combination. What are your thoughts?

Check out WorkplaceCoachingBooks.com and see all the different ways to accelerate skill and career development through journal-based coaching. These are also valuable tools leaders can give to their teams to start their journaling-based coaching journey specific to the area they could use a little extra focus. Topics include Motivation, Teamwork, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Effective Feedback, Applying DISC and more.