Leadership in the Digital Age – Guiding Clients Through Market Changes 

A few weeks ago, I was jetted from my little mountain home in Colorado to the cacophony of music that is Nashville to speak to a group of marketing executives about leadership in an AI world. 

The punchline of that presentation was: be a human. 

Preparing for the keynote and the (extremely positive) reception to it got me thinking about the role we, as career coaches and resume writers, play in guiding clients through the AI-influenced transformative landscape we find ourselves in. 

We’re all sick of hearing about, talking about, and thinking about AI, but it’s here and here to stay. As AI redefines job roles and industries, we find ourselves in a unique position to extend our coaching. 

Not only is it essential to leverage technology to stay ahead as a coach, but now it's crucial to understand the nuances and impacts technology has on careers—especially for our clients. This means we must proactively educate and prepare our clients for a job market deeply integrated with AI technologies. 

We’re talking way beyond the *gag* ATS stuff here - this isn’t just about building resumes; we're equipping our clients with the understanding and skills they need to confidently navigate AI-influenced hiring environments and positions. 

Here’s the thing. Technology is changing, but the nature of humans is still foundational, and in my opinion, this is where we have an opportunity to stand out. 

Stay with me…

Technology may replace workers, but if you ask me, it will displace more. Candidates who can upskill and adapt will be primed to avoid being replaced because they’re keeping hard skills current, but there’s still one overlooked area where a candidate can stand out.

Human skills. 

Hey, maybe I just coined a new term for soft skills! 

The need for leaders, or professionals of any level for that matter, who can bring humanism to the technical landscape is paramount, and we’re in the opportunity to cultivate and coach these soon-to-be unicorns. 

AI’s ability to automate tasks, predict market trends, and reshape the way of work, but what it can’t do is bring emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills to the workplace—attributes that AI has yet to replicate.

In some of the research I did for the aforementioned presentation, I found the following mind-blowing statistic:

→ 67% of employees surveyed reported that they would trust a robot more than their manager. 

I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to go toe-to-toe with a robot, I want to know I can win (without being Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow…), and the only way we can win, the only way our clients can win, is by bringing the humanity and the connection so many employees fear we are losing due to the rise of technology in the workplace. 

It may seem lofty, but I believe career services professionals have the ability to spread this message. We have the power to impact the culture of the workforce if we focus our clients on building skills that maintain connectedness in their workplaces. 

Here are a few ways you can bring these ideals into your coaching practice. 

Bonus: not only will you be impacting the culture of the workforce, but you’ll also be separating yourself from the competition with services - and an approach - that differentiates you from other coaches. Talk about a win-win! 

• Educate About AI Implications: Do not fear the technology; embrace it and educate your clients about how technology may influence their career paths, growth potential, or job search targets. Better yet, take it one step further by identifying AI tools prevalent in their industries and coaching them on how they can use these tools to their advantage.
  
  

• Leverage AI Strategically: Each client’s interaction with AI will vary based on their industry, career stage, and communication style. Personalize your coaching to help them leverage AI, even going so far as to create materials on AI literacy to equip them to use trending tools effectively.
  
  

• Maintain the Mindset: People can get reeaaaaaaal caught up in this stuff (I mean, do we need to talk about the obsession with ATS at this juncture?), and it’s your job to back them off the ledge. Encourage your clients to develop a mindset geared towards continuous learning and flexibility; if you’re working with the more seasoned professionals, this is k.e.y.!

• Promote Human-Centric Skills: In a job market increasingly dominated by AI, the distinctly human skills—creativity, empathy, and ethical judgment—become a client’s competitive edge. Encourage clients to hone these skills by providing exercises and resources to identify them, build them, and keep them sharp! 

Just as our clients are being impacted by AI, so are we; the way we work is also changing, as guiding clients through the AI age involves more than traditional coaching.

How will you keep up?

Don’t worry, those with sweaty palms! Here are three things you can do right now to make sure you - the coach - are as up-to-speed as you need to be to keep your clients on their toes: 

• Continuously Update Your Toolkit: As AI technologies evolve, so should your coaching tools and methods. Make it a habit to stay informed about the latest AI applications in career coaching and resume writing. Attend industry conferences, participate in relevant webinars, and subscribe to leading tech and career coaching newsletters to keep your practice at the cutting edge.

• Engage with Other Industry Leaders: Networking isn’t just for job seekers. Connect with other career coaches and industry experts to exchange insights about integrating AI into coaching practices. These conversations can provide innovative ideas and help you understand how others adapt to similar challenges.

• Experiment and Innovate: The best way to understand AI's impact is to use it yourself. Experiment with new AI tools designed for career development or resume writing. This firsthand experience will enhance your ability to coach effectively and enable you to offer genuine insights and guidance based on your personal interaction with technology.

I’ve said it before, but this seems like a great time to wrap up by reiterating: sometimes, the best advice we can give ourselves is to look in the mirror and say some of the things we say to our clients! 

Never stop learning, leading, or living. That’s how we win when we’re toe-to-toe with the robots. 

Happy Coaching!

Your Friend and Coach, 

Angie