This is a summary of the book titled “The Digital Coaching Revolution – how to support employee development with Coaching Tech” written by Anna Tavis and Woody Woodward. Technology not only augments professional coaching services but also provide a platform for coaches to embrace the potential of data analysis and digital delivery. The authors provide a comprehensive review of digital coaching in corporate environments, sports, healthcare and so on. Digital coaching platforms are maturing towards full autonomy. They help to deliver tailored interventions. Holistic coaching improves individual well-being and productivity. AIs and chatbots have forced coaches to re-imagine their role. Digital coaching has potential to become universities with proper credentials for students. It can help improve diversity related outcomes.

Coaching is a collaborative process that helps individuals and organizations achieve their potential through affective, cognitive, skill-based, and results-based growth. It involves assessing a client's initial needs, agreeing to a schedule, writing a contract, conducting coaching sessions, measuring outcomes, and providing feedback. Although academic research on coaching is still in its infancy, a meta-analysis of scientific studies suggests it improves work satisfaction and well-being more than training. Professional coaching has its roots in Socratic questioning and has evolved with the rise of digital coaching, which uses technology to enhance coaching practices. Digital coaching platforms use machine learning to match coaches and coachees, offer group chats and Google Docs for remote communication, and provide dashboard tools for performance tracking. The multi-billion dollar coaching industry is expected to continue growing and disrupt the $360 billion L&D industry. Digital coaching platforms are maturing toward full autonomy, with four distinct phases: emergent, expansion, maturity, and optimization.

Digital coaches and platforms are increasingly using data to deliver personalized, scalable, and accessible approaches for their clients. This data allows providers to collect empirical evidence demonstrating the value of coaching interventions, such as the ROI Calculator released by CoachHub in 2023. Digital coaching platforms are also experimenting with sentiment analysis and biometrics to guide their services. However, coaches must balance the use of data with relational interactions to drive individual and team performance. Holistic coaching can improve both individuals' well-being and business productivity, as it addresses rising rates of pessimism, anxiety, and depression among workers. Digital health and well-being platforms, such as BetterUp, EZRA, and CoachHub, offer coaching services that cover physical health, mental health, work-life balance, and personal development. As AI and chatbots continue to develop, coaches must re-imagine their role, using AI tools to recommend targeted learning resources and streamline feedback. Integrating AI and chatbots into digital coaching platforms makes personalized learning accessible to a broader audience.

Digital coaching tools can enhance diversity-related outcomes by helping companies achieve their DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) goals. These tools can be customized and applied to both upper management and junior employees. BetterUp focuses on the belonging aspect of DEIB, ensuring all employees have access to a coach. As coaching education moves from private companies to universities, it becomes more critical to ensure coaches have appropriate education, training, and credentials. Professional coaching associations offer recognized credentials based on their own standards. Universities are stepping up their coaching education opportunities to advance research in coaching technology and train a new generation of practitioners.