Coaching in the Age of AI – What Do Coaches Really Offer Now?
By Dan Steele
Not long ago, a school leader I deeply respect asked me this:
"With all these AI tools now doing what coaches do - asking questions, generating insights - what’s left for us?"
I paused. Not because I didn’t have a response - but because I realised it was the right question. One we all need to be asking.
AI is reshaping our world - fast. Coaching platforms with embedded AI can now suggest questions, summarise conversations, and even prompt next steps. Some are impressive.
They’re helpful. But they’re not human.
And in that difference lies the heart of coaching and mentoring….
The Instructional Coaching Institute is the comprehensive course that gives coaches and leaders everything they need to know to become successful coaching partners. It is an essential professional development opportunity for developing and sustaining a successful coaching program in your context.
Led by Dr. Jim Knight, we look forward to welcoming educators to this experience in our upcoming cohorts in Melbourne and Bangkok!
Dean Clayden, Jim Knight and Chris Munro in Shanghai for the very first Instructional Coaching Institute in China - May 2025
Final Places Remaining!
We are just weeks away from welcoming Dr. Jim Knight back to Australia for the Instructional Coaching Done Well Roadshow!
If improving learning or engagement is a priority in your school or system, this two-day event could really support the success and positive impact you could make.
Key Takeaways:
A blueprint for effective instructional coaching in your school
Practical solutions for coaching challenges in schools
Insights into how leaders can effectively support coaches
This is the only course where you can experience the reality of coaching in a real school environment.
Spanning 3 days, this practical course is designed for leaders, teachers and instructional coaches who want to explore the Impact Cycle and see it in action in a real school setting.
This opportunity is proudly delivered in partnership with the Crowther Centre at Brighton Grammar.
Instructional Coaching Done Well Roadshow - Episode 3
Coaches as Leaders
In this episode we shift our focus to Coaches as Leaders because Instructional Coaching Done Well isn’t just about supporting others, it’s also about how we lead ourselves and those around us.
Richard Reid is joined by Dr Jim Knight, Chris Munro and Dan Steele for the latest podcast in the series. In this episode, they dive into how we navigate the challenges of leadership, particularly when we get stuck and ego gets in the way, why self-care is an essential leadership skill and how great coaches balance ambition with humility.
The guests also explore how coaches create alignment, make great decisions and clarify their purpose.
I work with lots of (school) leaders. Many are curious about (and some are fully committed towards) building better conversations in their organisations by taking more of a coaching approach.
Peter Drucker’s famous quote highlights just how influential organisational culture can be. It makes sense then to become intentional about the kind of culture we want our schools to live out. A coaching culture is one worth working toward.
And when considering existing organisational culture, we are effectively taking a strengths-based approach by asking ‘what is already in place’ that can serve as a platform for any development..
Designed specifically for current and aspiring leaders, Coaching in Leadership is a practical evidence-based course providing in-depth learning and experience of the application of coaching approaches as a highly effective way of leading in schools and other education settings.
"The skills and concepts learnt during the course all apply directly to my role and hopes for my team and my school. I am excited and motivated about how I can use this new learning."
Angie Christoforou,
Assistant Principal,
Peakhurst South Primary School NSW
UPCOMING COHORTS: 2 x 2 Day Cohorts - commencement dates below
The Introduction to Leadership Coaching course provides an exceptional entry level to coaching in education. It’s the course for leaders and teams wanting to amplify and
cascade a positive, strengths-based, student centred learning culture at every level in their school or educational organisation. Not through just one conversation at a time, but many conversations at a time. Conversations that inspire joy, teamwork, purpose and self-belief.
"The collegiality, the participants willingness to
be open, supportive and great to work with.
This was facilitated by the presenters very
professionally with knowledge and warmth. Using zoom meant I could focus on my learning and not have to deal with the minutiae of travel, public transport and other distractions.”
The Impact Cycle2-day course is designed to support educators in establishing instructional coaching cycles that lead to improved teaching and student learning.
The course is for anyone who works alongside teachers to help them develop their practice. The Impact Cycle also provides educational leaders with a model of instructional leadership that enables teacher agency.
"I have a much clearer idea on how to implement the impact cycle in my school. I especially found the coaching opportunities and Growth questions very useful. I’m so so excited to take what I’ve learnt and put it into practice.”
Our latest edition of GCI Insights features a variety of thought provoking articles from a wide variety of voices in our education space. As in previous issues, it has been created as an interactive Flipping Book, featuring video interviews with leaders in the field and links to other useful resources for coaching in education.
Here are a few of the articles:
Sharing Knowledge and perspective
By Chris Munro
One step beyond active listening
By Dr Robert Biswas-Diener and Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh
CoachED Update and GCI Insights are our regular e-publications. Sign-up to be the first to hear about the latest Coaching in Education insights, news and events.
