Hybrid coaching: The way of the new era

Hybrid coaching: The way of the new era

What is hybrid coaching?

Hybrid coaching (also known as blended coaching) is a model where the coaching process is partly online, in part personal, in complementary forms. The online parts can be video calls, chat or voice consultations, digital tools, file sharing, task tracking software. Face-to-face meetings provide the opportunity for direct human contact, observation of body language, more intensive interaction and deeper relationship building.

Hybrid coaching aims to harness the benefits of both the online and face-to-face formats, while reducing the disadvantages that are unique to one or the other.

Why has hybrid coaching become important?

1. Pandemic, closures, distance
   The COVID-19 period highlighted that from online coaching works: is able to take the development and support processes to situations where a face-to-face meeting is not possible. Working from home, digital meetings have become commonplace and many people have realised the value of online coaching.
2. Technological development
   Today, robust video call systems, high-quality voice and video transmission, digital note-taking and tracking tools are available. These allow online coaching to be a well-functioning component of coaching, rather than a "substitute".
3. Changing work and lifestyle
   Globalisation, mobility, teleworking, hybrid working arrangements all mean that clients are less able to meet their coach in person on a regular basis. At the same time, they need the flexibility to fit coaching into their often busy daily/weekly challenges.
4. Cost efficiency, time savings, accessibility
   Travel time, commuting, logistics - all of these create a significant burden for both coach and client. Online components reduce these. It also makes them accessible to clients who are geographically distant or for whom relocation is difficult.

Benefits that make hybrid coaching attractive

Below I summarise the main benefits of the hybrid approach:

Limits, challenges

Of course, hybrid coaching is not perfect either, both forms have their limitations. It is also important to see them clearly:

• Technical difficulties - internet connection quality, noise, device problems.
• Building relationships can be slower online - lack of personal presence reduces the recognition of certain non-verbal signals.
• Time zone, time schedule - if the online parts are in different time zones, it can be more difficult to synchronise.
• Loss of attention, distractions - more distractions in an online environment (home, mobile, etc.).
• Confidential and personal issues - for some clients, it is important for the coach to be outside ("out there"), to step out of their "everyday" roles; online this is more difficult.
• Coach skills - the coach must be able to handle both forms, have experience with online methods, digital tools, be able to convey intimacy and empathy online.

When is it really worth choosing hybrid coaching?

Not necessary in every situation, but in many cases the best choice. Here are some situations, when the hybrid form is most optimal:

1. If the client or coach travels frequently
   A business leader who is on the road a lot but can meet face-to-face every month or quarter, the rest of the time online.
2. Multiple objectives / multiple themes at the same time
   For example, where there is strategic, business, management level (for which face-to-face meetings are useful), and there is also personal life, self-awareness, reflection (which can be well supported online).
3. If cost and time are important factors
   If it takes the client a lot of time to travel, or the coach would incur a lot of travel costs for a face-to-face meeting, the hybrid format shares the burden.
4. If direct personal contact is important to the client
   The first sessions, or those that require a deeper breakthrough, should be held in person; afterwards, keep up the momentum with online sessions.
5. In an emergency or in a period of uncertainty
   In the event of pandemics, travel restrictions, health problems or even unexpected events, the hybrid model provides greater stability.

Research background, international perspective

• The Association for Coaching In an interview entitled "The Value of Hybrid Coaching", for example, they stress that the integration of digital forms of communication and technologies - video calls, online platforms - open up new possibilities in coaching relationships, while human, personal contact remains important.associationforcoaching.com)
• Sparrks' blog post compares the advantages and disadvantages of online and in-person coaching, pointing out that in-person sessions allow for a deeper connection, reading non-verbal cues, while the online format is strong in flexibility, time and cost efficiency.Sparrks)
• Leigh Stafford concludes that online life coaching can achieve similar effectiveness to traditional face-to-face coaching, especially when the technical conditions and commitment are right (Leigh Stafford)

Related domestic resources

• A CoachLab.hu/blog The article "Online coaching experiences: does it really work?" details how clients have experienced online coaching during the pandemic, the changes in flexibility, home environment, time savings and in many cases deeper self-reflection.coachlab.hu - Online coaching experiences)
• The CoachLab's "Coaching Basics" describes the part of the coaching process where looking ahead at goals, structure and tools helps, which is particularly important in a hybrid model: that the online and face-to-face blocks fit together well.coachlab.hu)

How to build a good hybrid coaching? Practical tips

1. Good design
   - You need to decide in advance which occasions should be face-to-face and which online.
   - We need to structure the goals and tasks so that both forms can continue the process.
2. Adequate technical background
   - Good internet, good camera and microphone, a smooth environment for the online parts.
   - Provide a secure platform for digital files, data protection.
3. Communication and trust
   - The first face-to-face meeting can help build trust.
   - In online sessions, particular attention should also be paid to the world, to restrictions on body language, to active listening, to questions.
4. Intermediate support
   - Make use of online opportunities for exercises, reflective practice, journaling, feedback.
   - Regular check-ins or mini-sessions (online) can help to ensure sustainability.
5. Flexibility and correction
   - Monitor which format works better for a given topic or client; it is not a canonical form, it can be modified on the fly.
   - Personal preferences, energy levels and the intimate nature of topics should be taken into account.

Summary: why could this be the future?

Hybrid coaching is not just a temporary solution, but an evolutionary direction in coaching. As technology evolves, people value flexibility, but the human connection remains central. Combining the two allows coaching to be more effective, accessible and personalised.

In the future, more and more coaches and clients are likely to choose this path: alternating face-to-face and online meetings, digital support in between, even the inclusion of automated tools (e.g. AI-supported reflective questions, digital goal tracking). Ethical use, quality, personal contact and a well-constructed structure will be the factors that distinguish good hybrid coaching from mediocre.

Example plan: Hibrid Coaching Package

1. Basic structure

• Duration: 3 months (12 weeks)
• Number of meetings: 8 sessions (4 in person + 4 online)
• Intermediate support: weekly short online check-in, assignment and feedback on digital platforms (e.g. Notion, Trello, Google Docs)

2. Construction

Stage 1 - Getting started and building trust

• 1st time (personal):
  • Getting to know each other, discussing objectives and framework
  • Connecting, building trust
  • Release of the first set of exercises (self-awareness questions, target diary)
• Session 2 (online, week 1):
  • Short feedback on the launch
  • Identifying initial barriers, fears
  • Presentation of online tools (task diary, tracking platform)

Stage Two - Deepening and focus

• Session 3 (personal, week 3):
  • Summary of experience so far
  • Breaking down specific goals into smaller steps
  • Exploring values and motivations in person (e.g. values map, card exercises)
• Session 4 (online, week 4):
  • Monitoring progress
  • Online reflection exercise (e.g. journaling, exploring resources)

Third phase - Action and integration

• Session 5 (personal, week 6):
  • Deeper coaching exercises (e.g. "future self" visualisation, role play)
  • Overcoming barriers to personal interaction
• Session 6 (online, week 7):
  • Checking tasks, recording digital target milestones
  • Brief strategic overview

Stage Four - Closure and sustainability

• Session 7 (personal, week 10):
  • Celebration of results, feedback
  • Establishing sustainable habits
  • Independent plan for the next period
• Session 8 (online, week 12 - final session):
  • Final summary, reflection
  • Digital evaluation questionnaire
  • Discussing contact maintenance options (follow-up, mini-check-in)

3. Intermediate elements

• Weekly mini-check-in (10-15 minutes online or chat): "Where are you? What is your biggest challenge right now?"
• Digital diary / target tracking tool: customer fills, coach comments.
• Reflective series of questions: online forms to facilitate progress between face-to-face meetings.

4. Extra options

• Follow-up 1 time after the programme (1 month later, online or in person).
• "SOS" mini sessions (30 minutes online) in case of unexpected crisis.
• An online community forum (e.g. a closed Facebook or Slack group if there are multiple clients).

5. Benefits for the customer

• No need to travel every week → time and money saved.
• There is the possibility for personal connection, trust and deeper practices.
• Online framework ensures flexibility, fast response, documentation.
• Structured, yet flexible: customisable according to work and life situations.

Other aspects related to the topic:

Ethical and data security issues

• Important for online coaching: privacy, confidentiality, secure platforms (Zoom, Teams, not "random" chat apps).
• At Hibrid, the focus is on trust: how the coach guarantees confidentiality online and offline.

Preparation of the coach

• Not every coach can work well online: you need a different toolkit.
• It's worth writing that a hybrid coach needs to be flexible, technically savvy and able to maintain attention and rapport online.

Client's role and responsibility

• Hybrid coaching really works when the client is actively involved.
• It is important to have a "ritual" for online parts: a quiet environment, full presence, not while multitasking.

International trends and vision

• A brief look at how hybrid coaching is already an established practice in Western Europe and the USA.
• Involving AI and digital tools (e.g. AI apps for logging, voice recognition feedback).
• In the future, it may be that the coach and the client metaverse or in VR.

Typical mistakes to avoid

• Too many online sessions → the connection can become stale.
• Poor timing → if there is no rhythm to the change, the process can fall apart.
• Reliance on technology instead of human presence.