Newsletter 012

{{first_name | default: 'there'}}, When You Stop Trusting Your Own Judgment

After I posted my coaching story with a client, I've had several discussions with many of you around how toxic environments don't just silence us—they do something deeper and more damaging. 

The manager I've been coaching spent three years having every decision questioned and every idea second-guessed. She told me: "I stopped being able to tell if my ideas were actually good or not."

Her boss challenged everything. Every answer questioned. Every decision picked apart. She learned to have three backup plans ready and to speak only when spoken to.

Toxic environments rewire how you think about yourself. 

After she left, she came to coaching sessions asking me to validate every thought. "Is this a good idea? Am I seeing this right?" 

The breakthrough came when she caught herself mid-question: "I was about to ask if my idea was stupid. But you know what? It's not. It's actually pretty smart."

Now she's not just trusting her judgment again—she's helping her team develop theirs too. She creates space for different opinions and asks what they think first.

Sounds familiar? Why don't you try my free, quick & dirty assessment tool to know what kills your confidence silently. 💥 Value bomb #1 coming up:

Curious about what executive coaching actually is? Check out our short 10-page e-book "A Child's First Book on Executive Coaching"—and here's the story of how we created it. Already at 💥 value bomb #2:

Why We Trust Machines More Than Ourselves

Confidence and self-trust are common themes when people start personal development work. And as recent data shows, more and more people are turning to AI for exactly this kind of support.

....hm, what???

According to Harvard Business Review, 40% of the top AI use cases are for personal support: therapy, organizing life, finding purpose, healthier living. I'll be honest—I didn't see this coming.

But here's what's fascinating: we live in a world where we often dismiss human advice yet eagerly accept guidance from machines. Think about it. When your colleague suggests you speak up more in meetings, you might think "easy for them to say." But when an AI analysis tells you the same thing, suddenly it feels objective and worth considering.

There's something about AI that bypasses our defensiveness. It doesn't judge. It doesn't have an agenda. It doesn't make us feel small or compared to others. For many people, that creates the psychological safety to actually hear feedback and consider change.

Maybe the real insight isn't that AI is replacing human connection.

Maybe it's that AI is creating space for people to connect with themselves first—just as a very good executive coach does. When you're not worried about being judged, you can be more honest about what you're actually struggling with.

The irony? Sometimes it takes a machine to help us remember how to be human.

Meet Your AI Coaching Partner

This insight about AI's role in personal support is exactly why we're launching TheChangeCoach.AI—and why I'd love for you to test it. Value bomb #3 dropping.

You can register for testing here - testing spots are limited, apply now!

We've built an AI coach that actually understands how change works. Not just generic advice, but real coaching conversations based on international standards. It knows our C-H-A-N-G-E framework. We are building it up to help you prepare for difficult conversations, work through leadership challenges, and build confidence.

But here's what makes me most excited: it's not just for executives. Everyone deserves access to good coaching support, not just people at the top.

Early testers are using it to:

• Practice difficult conversations before they happen

• Process feedback and figure out next steps

• Work through career decisions

One person told me: "It's like having a coach available whenever I need to think something through. No judgment, just really good questions."

This isn't about replacing human coaches—it's about making coaching support available when and where you need it. Between sessions. After tough meetings. When you're stuck and need a thinking partner.

We're looking for people who want to help us make this even better. People who believe that growth shouldn't be limited by schedule or budget.

If you're curious about what AI coaching could offer, register here. It's free, however spots are limited, so we would like to apply now!

 Because whether it's finding your voice or building your leadership skills, everyone deserves support on their journey.

Did you miss our last newsletters?

Inboxes can get a little crazy, right?  Just in case you missed them, here are the links to our previous newsletters:

• Newsletter #11: I’m sharing why your humanity—not just intelligence—will set you apart in an AI-first world, how co-creating with AI can transform coaching, and what to do when your confidence takes a hit in times of change. → LINK HERE
• Newsletter #10: I’m sharing why trying is your best strategy for change, how experimenting with AI tools helps shape the future, and what happens when leaders let go of ‘perfect’ → LINK HERE
• Newsletter #9: I'm sharing how to craft a compelling professional story that makes you memorable—and how building an AI agent like Cora is helping me do better work. → LINK HERE

Thanks for reading. Just drop a quick reply if you have any feedback.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Warm regards,

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