Benefiting From the Power of Visualization
Coaching in the metaverse is fundamentally visual. As such, it opens up a series of different options for coaching, such as scenarios, simulations and extrapolations. It allows the user to imagine different possibilities and to step into them in their imagination. A Harvard Business Review article shares, “Virtual reality, with gamification, avatars, and holograms, can help the coachee visualize future scenarios.” Learners can engage in simulations, role-playing scenarios or virtual experiences that replicate real-life situations. This brings more experiential learning into the world of coaching, enabling learners to practice and refine their skills in safe, controlled environments.
Visualization has already been widely adopted by the world of sports coaching. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his Netflix documentary, speaks to the power of visualization to give him the career he’s had both in the sporting and political arenas. But it has often been an untapped process within the business arena. But without the ability to visualize a future, how can one be created?
New technologies are now available to help us leverage this incredible force to impact day-to-day working practices. Among our clients, we’ve seen one global manufacturing company use virtual coaching technology as part of its diversity and inclusion program; and a global information technology (IT) company uses avatars to support their aspiring leaders with leadership development.
Increasingly the world of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied to these use cases, and already organizations are starting to explore the combinations of AI with simulated environments/in virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies.
In the metaverse, coaching experiences can be personalized to a much greater degree. Users can create tailored avatars, environments, and scenarios that align with the client’s experiences, preferences or needs. This customisation can contribute to a deeper sense of engagement and presence as the client feels more connected to the virtual experience.
Metaverse coaching technologies can also help employees with more imaginative and creative thinking patterns. As one coach who tried out VR coaching put it, “the creativity stifled by our intense, unconscious addiction to unachievable eye contact is suddenly unlocked again, particularly where objects and painting tools are present.”
Are different technologies and devices already shaping this future?
Immersive VR headsets are becoming more widely used as they come down in price. Now, they are largely within the same price range as laptops, tablets or smartphones. While very widely used by gamers, headsets are not for everyone. Not everyone likes putting a device over their eyes. It will be interesting to see how mixed or extended reality technologies shape the future of coaching, too.
The world of wearables and haptic 3D touch sensors provides new possibilities to measure physiological data points, such as heart rate variability — a key metric for emotional regulation and flexibility.
The evidence for the efficacy of these immersive, visual solutions is emerging, too. There has already been research conducted related to counseling, psychotherapy and mental health care settings, where immersive visual technologies have been tested and developed for many years. Many of these studies identify benefits of acceleration, increased engagement and stronger motivation to action than their traditional verbal-based interactions.
One final point is worth remembering: While the metaverse has the potential to transform coaching, human connection, warmth and empathy remain at the heart of an effective coaching relationship. As with other technologies, it requires wisdom to work out where the metaverse can augment and build social capital rather than replace human relationships.
Coaching in the metaverse is already here, albeit on a limited scale at the moment, and is forecast to grow. To stay ahead of this curve, consider adding metaverse coaching to your existing training portfolio in the near future. While the metaverse has the potential to transform coaching, human connection, warmth and empathy remain at the heart of an effective coaching relationship.
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