Career Club Live with Bob Goodwin

AI + Coaching: The Digital Coaching Revolution with Dr. Anna Tavis, Chair, Human Capital Management Department, NYU School of Professional Studies

May 7, 2025

Dr. Anna Tavis, Chair of Human Capital Management at NYU and author of The Digital Coaching Revolution, discusses the transformative power of AI in coaching and leadership development. She reveals why traditional methods fall short in scalability and outlines how AI can democratize coaching across organizations. Insights on AI's role in enhancing soft skills and real-world examples from Microsoft and Mayo Clinic illustrate the future of talent management. Tavis emphasizes the need for ethical considerations as AI reshapes workforce strategies and decision-making.

51:28

Episode guests

Anna Tavis

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

AI-driven coaching tools democratize access to personal development, transforming traditional coaching by supporting employees at all levels, not just executives.

Middle managers benefit significantly from AI tools, which enhance ongoing feedback and performance management, empowering them to thrive in their roles.

Deep dives

The Role of Technology in Coaching

The integration of technology into coaching practices is revolutionizing how organizations approach human capital management. Traditional coaching, often limited to senior executives, lacks scalability and fails to address the needs of a broader workforce. New tools, such as AI-driven coaching solutions, aim to democratize access to coaching, enabling support for employees at all levels. These advancements allow organizations to provide personalized feedback and development opportunities throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring skill development begins long before individuals reach executive roles.

Intro

5min

AI-Driven Coaching: Redefining Executive Development

18min

Rethinking Management in the Age of Augmented Intelligence

5min

Revolutionizing Workforce Management Through AI and Digital Twins

6min

Harnessing AI for Business Decision-Making

13min

Embracing AI: The Future of Digital Coaching

3min

In this forward-looking conversation, Bob Goodwin sits down with Dr. Anna Tavis to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of coaching and leadership development. As the author of The Digital Coaching Revolution and a leading voice in human capital transformation, Dr. Tavis offers deep insights into how organizations can leverage AI not to replace human coaches, but to dramatically scale, personalize, and democratize coaching throughout the enterprise.

Key Themes Covered:

Why traditional executive coaching is not scalable—and how AI changes that
The rise of AI-native platforms and their impact on performance management, onboarding, and career development
How AI acts as a “practice field” for developing power skills—especially in high-stakes scenarios
Why middle managers are the first—and best—place to implement AI-based coaching
How tools like ChatGPT and custom-built AI coaches are enhancing, not replacing, human insight
The ethical, privacy, and bias considerations organizations must address
The role of digital twins and organizational simulations in strategic workforce planning

Dr. Tavis also shares real-world examples from companies like Microsoft, Delta Airlines, and Mayo Clinic—demonstrating how AI coaching tools are already transforming both corporate and healthcare settings.

Special Invitation:

Dr. Tavis will be hosting the Coaching and Technology Summit at NYU in New York City on July 7–8, focused on the convergence of AI and executive coaching. The summit features top innovators, case studies, and cutting-edge tools redefining leadership development.

Register here:

https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business/human-capital-management/coaching-and-technology-summit.html