A coach for this moment*

And now for some ideas, strategies and benefits of career coaching.

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the new language of work

AI Fluency and the Future of Work: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Artificial intelligence isn’t coming—it’s already here, quietly reshaping the way professionals think, create, and make decisions. It’s embedded in emails, spreadsheets, presentations, and search tools. It’s in your team’s workflows and your clients’ expectations.

For experienced professionals—those with 8 or more years of success under their belt—AI often feels both exciting and disorienting. You sense its potential, but translating that potential into day-to-day impact is another story.

That translation is what I call AI fluency—and it’s where my work as an AI executive coach begins.

Beyond the Buzz: What AI Fluency Really Means

AI fluency isn’t just about knowing how to “prompt” ChatGPT or delegate a few tasks. It’s a new literacy for the modern workplace: the ability to collaborate, reason, and create alongside intelligent systems.

When you’re AI-fluent, you can:

• Evaluate when to use AI—and when human context matters most.

• Turn vague goals into structured, testable prompts that reveal new insights.

• Integrate AI into your workflow in ways that make your expertise more valuable, not less.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and researcher Selina Xu have argued that China’s organizations are racing ahead because they’ve embedded AI across roles and processes—not waiting for perfection, but learning by doing. Their message isn’t about geopolitics; it’s about mindset.

Fluency comes from use, reflection, and iteration. Professionals who practice AI fluency today are the ones shaping how the rest of us will work tomorrow.

Businesses Are Demanding AI Fluency

The shift is no longer theoretical. According to Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index, 75 percent of global knowledge workers already use AI at work, and usage has doubled in just six months. Yet formal enablement and training still lag far behind.

EY’s 2024 survey on AI literacy found that companies now recognize the need for organization-wide AI understanding—not just among engineers or data scientists. Leaders want employees who can use AI responsibly, critically, and creatively.

As one report summarized:

“With three-quarters of knowledge workers now using AI at work and firms recognizing the need for AI literacy across roles, fluency is fast becoming the new baseline for career relevance.”

Put simply, employers are no longer asking if you can use AI—they’re asking how well you can.

Why Experienced Professionals Need a Different Approach

If you’ve built your career over the last decade, you’ve already adapted through digital transformation, remote work, and global collaboration. But AI demands a deeper shift—it changes how you think, not just what you do.

Experience can be both a strength and a blind spot. You’ve developed reliable instincts—but AI challenges those instincts by surfacing patterns, correlations, and possibilities you might not see.

That’s where coaching matters.

As an AI executive coach, I work with experienced professionals to build fluency that integrates directly with their domain expertise. The goal isn’t to make you technical—it’s to make you adaptive, strategic, and confident in applying AI to the work you already do well.

Three Ways Professionals Are Expected to Use AI Today

Here are the areas where your colleagues—and competitors—are already raising the bar:

1. Advanced Briefing and Communication Automation

Professionals are using large-language models to draft and refine communications, synthesize meeting notes, and generate reports. A product manager might feed AI bullet-point updates and receive a polished executive brief tailored for multiple audiences. You’ll learn how to engineer prompts that preserve your intent and tone while saving time and improving clarity.

2. Insight Synthesis and Decision Support

In analytics, strategy, and operations, experienced workers are using AI to integrate information from multiple sources—market reports, client feedback, financial data—and generate early-stage insights. The key skill isn’t just getting an answer; it’s knowing how to stress-test the model’s logic, verify data provenance, and refine the synthesis to support high-stakes decisions.

A BCG study found that consultants who used generative AI effectively were able to complete advanced tasks beyond their previous capability, improving both speed and quality. That’s what AI fluency looks like in practice.

3. Workflow Integration and Team Orchestration

In marketing, product, or operations roles, professionals are now embedding AI into recurring cycles—campaign ideation, project planning, or retrospective analysis. The goal is to treat AI as a co-pilot that drafts, compares, and tests, while you retain human oversight.

You’ll learn how to design repeatable workflows, create reusable prompt libraries, and build ethical guardrails so your efficiency never outpaces your judgment.

SAP’s 2024 report on AI literacy summed it up well: “The most effective way to build AI capability is to let people get their hands dirty.”

Coaching That Turns Curiosity Into Capability

Many professionals tinker with AI tools for a few hours, get inconsistent results, and move on. The difference between curiosity and capability is structure.

Through one-on-one coaching, I help you:

1. Identify where AI aligns with your current goals and strengths.

2. Create custom workflows tailored to your real job responsibilities.

3. Build the technical and critical-thinking habits that turn AI into a multiplier—not a distraction.

4. Gain fluency with prompts, models, and evaluation so you can confidently lead AI-enabled initiatives.

Each session connects directly to your work: presentations, strategy docs, communications, analysis. You’ll leave not with theory, but with repeatable systems that improve your performance immediately.

The Broader Shift: From Users to Thinkers

This isn’t about becoming an AI “expert.” It’s about becoming an expert at working with AI.

AI fluency requires you to move beyond surface use toward conceptual understanding—how models reason, what they miss, and where bias or hallucination can appear. That awareness allows you to design prompts, evaluate responses, and collaborate more effectively with your human peers.

It’s also a leadership skill. Teams look to leaders who can guide adoption without fear, create psychological safety around experimentation, and model what it means to learn in public.

Why This Moment Matters

The next decade of work will belong to professionals who adapt faster than systems change. Those who resist will spend increasing time catching up; those who engage will shape the next generation of business practice.

Fluency doesn’t just safeguard your relevance—it amplifies your influence. When you understand both the promise and limits of AI, you become the bridge between technology and human judgment.

You become, in short, the kind of leader every organization now needs.

Coaching for the Future of Work

As an AI executive coach, I combine decades of experience in leadership, technology, and communication to help professionals build meaningful, human-centered fluency. My clients are not early adopters—they’re smart, thoughtful people who want to integrate AI in a way that aligns with their values, voice, and career vision.

Our work is a partnership: you bring your experience, I bring structure, insight, and accountability. Together we make AI your ally in performance, creativity, and purpose.

Ready to start?

AI fluency is the new professional currency. Whether you lead teams, manage projects, or plan your next career move, learning how to work confidently with AI will define your growth.

If you’re ready to turn curiosity into capability, let’s begin. Schedule a conversation and explore what AI fluency can unlock in your work.

(Inspired by insights from Eric Schmidt and Selina Xu in The Atlantic and research from Microsoft, EY, BCG, and SAP.)

now isnt the time to be humble

Do I Know You? Developing a Personal Brand is 🔑 to Career Growth

Many of my clients are navigating career transitions, and the prospect of building a portfolio of work and crafting a compelling story of professional accomplishments is intimidating.

For career-focused folks seeking to embark on a new journey, executive coaching provides invaluable guidance and support. By harnessing a range of skills and strategies, I craft compelling professional brand stories and empower clients to embrace change and unlock their potential. Together we will project a compelling professional identity that resonates with the job market and your business goals and aspirations.

Career Transition Coaching: Embracing New Beginnings

• Career transitions can be both exhilarating and daunting. Whether you are venturing into a new industry, assuming a different role, or starting your entrepreneurial journey, an experienced San Francisco Bay Area career coach offers a guiding light during this transformative phase. I’m here to provide a structured approach, assisting you in assessing your strengths, identifying transferable skills, and formulating a strategic plan to ensure a smooth transition. To help you redefine your professional identity, enabling you to embrace change with confidence and purpose.

Personal Branding: Unleashing Your Unique Voice

• In the competitive business landscape, personal branding is crucial for standing out and leaving a lasting impression. Executive coaches recognize that each individual possesses a distinct set of qualities and experiences that can be harnessed to create a compelling personal brand. Through introspection and self-discovery, San Francisco executive coaches guide you in defining your core values, clarifying your unique value proposition, and crafting an authentic narrative that aligns with your career goals. Business career coaches help you to communicate your story effectively, building a personal brand that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from the crowd.

Embracing Leadership: Development and Training

• As you navigate your professional journey, developing strong leadership skills is paramount. Executive coaching provides tailored guidance to enhance your leadership capabilities, enabling you to inspire and motivate others. Coaches employ proven methodologies to strengthen your emotional intelligence and self-awareness, helping you understand your strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. They facilitate the acquisition of effective communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and negotiate with confidence. Through leadership development and training, executive coaches empower you to become an influential and respected leader in your field. 🏆

Mastering Productivity: Time Management and Goal Setting

• IT might seem pretty obvious, but building skills with online tools - like generative AI - is key to your career growth. An executive coach with leadership experience in social impact and tech in the Bay Area can assist in optimizing your time management strategies, helping you prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and maintain focus amidst competing challenges. By identifying and eliminating productivity bottlenecks, bay area career coaches empower you to maximize your efficiency and make significant progress towards your objectives. They provide accountability and support, ensuring that you stay on track and achieve the milestones that pave the way to your ultimate success.

Navigating Change: Adapting and Thriving

• Change is inevitable in any professional journey. Whether it's organizational restructuring, industry shifts, or technological advancements, executive coaching equips you with the skills to navigate change with resilience and agility. Coaches provide strategies for change management and organizational development, helping you embrace new paradigms, seize opportunities, and overcome challenges. They instill the confidence and adaptability needed to not only survive but thrive in a constantly evolving business landscape.

I get it, this work isn’t easy

• Embarking on a career transition and establishing a powerful personal brand requires courage, self-reflection, and strategic planning. Through executive coaching, ambitious folks (like you!) are empowered to navigate these transformative phases with confidence and purpose. By embracing change, developing leadership skills, honing time management techniques, and cultivating an authentic personal brand, individuals unlock their true potential and position themselves for success. With the guidance and support of an career coach, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth, ultimately achieving the career advancement and fulfillment you deserve.

Bay Area Business Coaching will inform and support 360 degree reviews in performance development.

engage the 360 review process fully and everyone wins

360-degree reviews are a powerful tool that can help individuals improve their performance in the workplace. Executive coaching is a process in which a coach works with an individual to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop strategies to improve their performance. 360-degree reviews, on the other hand, involve gathering feedback from a variety of sources, including peers, supervisors, and subordinates, to provide a comprehensive view of an individual's performance.

Going high-level: Definition of 360 performance reviews

Leadership coaching and 360-degree reviews are often used together to create a holistic approach to leadership development. By combining these two tools, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to improve their performance in areas where they may be struggling.

One of the key benefits of executive coaching is that it provides a safe space for individuals to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement. Coaches can help individuals set goals, develop action plans, and provide feedback and support as they work to achieve those goals. By working with a coach, individuals can develop their skills and knowledge in a targeted way, which can lead to improved performance and better job satisfaction. In many cases a consulting engagement with an inclusive culture company in the San Francisco Bay Area or globally can help an organization build a 360 performance management strategy.

360-degree reviews, meanwhile, can provide individuals with valuable feedback from a range of perspectives. This feedback can help individuals understand how they are perceived by others, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to address those areas. By gathering feedback from a variety of sources, 360-degree reviews can provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's performance than traditional performance reviews, which often rely solely on the opinions of a supervisor.

The value of coaching and 360-degree reviews together

When used together, coaching and 360-degree reviews can be a powerful tool for leadership development. By combining the insights gained from both tools, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, develop targeted strategies for improvement, and receive ongoing support and feedback as they work to achieve their goals.

However, it is important to note that both executive coaching and 360-degree reviews require a high degree of trust and openness between the coach/reviewer and the individual being coached/reviewed. It is essential that individuals feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings openly in order to get the most out of these tools. Additionally, it is important that the feedback provided is constructive and focused on development, rather than criticism or blame.

Here’s the big idea: Life coaching and 360-degree reviews are two powerful tools that can help you improve their performance in the workplace. When used together, they can provide a holistic approach to leadership development, helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, develop targeted strategies for improvement, and receive ongoing support and feedback as they work to achieve their goals. However, it is important to approach these tools with an open and constructive mindset in order to get the most out of them.

executive coaching strategies

Embrace your Authenticity to Navigate Difficult Personalities and Excel in Your Career

In today's evolving work environment we encounter a diverse mix of personalities, and some can be quite challenging to handle. However, amidst the hustle, there lies a powerful tool that often goes unnoticed – authenticity. Being authentic and true to ourselves not only helps us build stronger connections with our colleagues but also plays a significant role in advancing our careers.

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Discover the Power of Authenticity

Authenticity is about being genuine and not pretending to be someone you're not. When we are true to ourselves, it shows in our actions and words, and people can sense that honesty. Being authentic breaks down barriers and fosters trust, paving the way for better relationships with those around us.

Open Communication and Empathy

Difficult personalities at work can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. However, by embracing authenticity, we create a space for open communication. Sharing our thoughts and feelings with an executive coach, colleague or even manager encourages others to do the same, promoting mutual understanding and resolving issues more effectively. Authenticity also helps us develop empathy, allowing us to understand others' perspectives and navigate challenging situations with compassion.

Fostering Positive Relationships

Being genuine attracts like-minded individuals who appreciate and respect us for who we are. These positive relationships serve as a support system during tough times, helping us handle conflicts and collaboratively work towards solutions. Authentic connections can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling work experience.

Gaining Confidence in Decision-Making

Embracing authenticity boosts our self-assurance. When we are true to ourselves, we gain the confidence to make decisions aligned with our values and beliefs, even when faced with opposition. This newfound self-assurance empowers us to take on new challenges and opportunities, driving our career growth. Invest in yourself: An empathetic and experienced career coach will inspire that confidence to find joy and success in your career.

Leveraging Authenticity for Career Advancement

Being authentic doesn't just impact our interpersonal relationships; it also propels our careers forward. Genuine individuals are often perceived as trustworthy leaders, inspiring loyalty and respect from their peers and superiors. This reputation can open doors to more significant responsibilities, promotions, and professional development opportunities.

Overcoming Obstacles

While authenticity is powerful, it doesn't mean being inflexible. There may still be conflicts at work, and that's normal. It's crucial to adapt our communication style or approach to effectively collaborate with different personalities. Authenticity doesn't give us a pass to be rude or disrespectful; rather, it forms a foundation for genuine and constructive interactions.

The Big Wrap Up

Embracing authenticity is a transformative journey that influences how we handle difficult personalities and drive our careers forward. By staying true to ourselves, fostering open communication, and developing empathy, we create a more positive and fulfilling work environment. Let authenticity guide you - while supported by friends, an executive coach or career coach - as you cultivate meaningful connections, experience personal growth, and achieve professional success. Your authentic self is your most powerful asset – embrace it, and watch your career soar to new heights.