The Power of Executive Coaching: Blending AI with the Human Touch

Executive Coaching in the Digital Era: Why Empathy Still Leads

Executive coaching is undergoing a quiet revolution — one that blends technology with timeless human insight. In a recent collaboration between Claruna and The Swiss Quality (TSQ), Bärbel Wetenkamp, CEO of Claruna, shared a thought-provoking quote that reflects the heart of this evolution: “AI can augment our coaching, but the human touch is irreplaceable in transforming leaders.” As Claruna continues to push the boundaries of what leadership development looks like in a digital-first world, this quote anchors the conversation in empathy, connection, and the irreplaceable role of human guidance.
“AI can augment our coaching, but the human touch is irreplaceable in transforming leaders.”
This insight from Claruna, delivered by Bärbel Wetenkamp, offers a human-centred perspective on leadership transformation. In her experience coaching C-level executives, Bärbel has found that while AI can serve as a powerful preparation tool — generating ideas, offering analysis, and sparring with perspectives — it cannot replace the deeply personal work that defines effective coaching. Executive coaching thrives on trust, emotional nuance, and the ability to connect with leaders where they truly are.
As organizations accelerate digital transformation, the demand for high-performance leadership increases. But speed and scale often leave little room for reflection. That’s where coaching steps in — creating a safe space for leaders to realign with their values, confront blind spots, and grow with intention. While AI can support this process by offering structured data and cognitive prompts, it lacks the emotional resonance that human coaches provide through active listening, intuition, and empathy.
Through TSQVoices, Claruna shares moments like this to challenge assumptions and guide leaders worldwide toward better practices. Executive coaching is not about giving answers — it's about asking better questions. It’s about holding space for vulnerability and growth. As Bärbel explains, this depth of transformation happens between humans. AI may enrich the process, but it cannot replicate the trust and insight that come from human connection.
Watch the full moment on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/shorts/y92wRyH5I1Q
Executive Coaching for a Digital Age: Human + AI Collaboration
The conversation around AI often swings between extremes — either it will replace everything, or it will solve everything. But in the context of executive coaching, the reality is more nuanced. AI tools can help coaches prepare for sessions, simulate different scenarios, or even help clients reflect on their communication styles through analysis. But the essence of coaching — that powerful human presence — remains non-negotiable.
Bärbel Wetenkamp’s approach demonstrates how leaders can benefit from both worlds. Before coaching sessions, she uses AI as a “sparring partner” to explore different viewpoints and identify patterns. But during the sessions, it’s her human intuition, her deep listening, and her lived experience that lead to breakthroughs. It’s not just about insights — it’s about transformation. And transformation, as Claruna teaches, begins in relationship.
In a time when leaders are navigating burnout, complexity, and change fatigue, the role of executive coaches is more important than ever. But the method must evolve. AI isn’t a threat to coaching — it’s a tool to deepen it. It allows coaches to come into conversations more prepared, more strategic, and more responsive. Still, it’s the human presence that sparks confidence, encourages risk-taking, and ultimately helps leaders step into their next level of influence.
Why Claruna Insights Matter for Future Leaders
Claruna’s message through TSQ is clear: in the race to digitize, we must not forget what makes leadership truly impactful — human insight, emotional intelligence, and personal connection. Executive coaching plays a vital role in developing these traits, and AI, when used wisely, can support rather than replace this journey.
For aspiring leaders, this quote is an invitation to embrace coaching not as a performance tool, but as a development practice. For experienced executives, it’s a reminder that the best leaders are still learning — and that behind every breakthrough is often a coach who knows how to ask the right question at the right time. Whether you’re building a culture of innovation or navigating post-pandemic uncertainty, Claruna’s coaching philosophy offers a grounded, human-first approach to leadership growth.
As AI continues to evolve, it will become a standard part of leadership development. But the essence of coaching — the heart, the presence, the human connection — will remain its most transformative element. With leaders like Bärbel Wetenkamp guiding this balance, Claruna ensures that the future of leadership is both technologically informed and deeply human.
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