While coaching has focused on empathy, self-awareness and other humanistic psychology principles in recent years, the next wave of growth is increasingly data-driven, tech-enabled and evidence-based. Coaches are expanding beyond traditional “soft skill” strengths to master domains that bridge insight with measurable action.
From analytics and AI to neuroscience, these “hard skills” are reshaping how coaches drive meaningful results for both their clients and themselves. Below, 14 members of Forbes Coaches Council share the skills they’re focusing on honing this year, and how these new capabilities will elevate their practices and spur growth in 2025 and beyond.
1. Digital Learning Design
With hybrid work here to stay, I’m working on mastering digital learning design tools. Knowing how to build engaging online simulations, gamified learning experiences and interactive workshops ensures my coaching stays impactful even when we’re not in the same room. For me, technology is no longer optional; it’s the amplifier of coaching impact. – Rahul Karan Sharma, RahulKaranSharma.com
2. AI Benefits And Use Cases
I’m learning more about the benefits of AI and how to use it effectively and efficiently in my coaching practice. The ability to allow AI to act as an administrative assistant has allowed me to focus on more productive tasks. – Michelle Martin Bonner, AMMEMPOWERMENT
3. Financial Modeling
I want to deepen my expertise in financial modeling. While coaching often focuses on vision and strategy, the ability to translate those into precise numbers—cash flows, forecasts and valuation—helps clients see the tangible impact of their decisions. Mastering this skill sharpens accountability and bridges inspiration with measurable outcomes. – Yasir Hashmi, The Hashmi Group
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
4. Technology Skills
For me, it’s building stronger technology skills. I want to master tools that boost productivity, improve organization and help analyze data. This not only enhances my efficiency as a coach, but also equips me to guide clients—many of whom struggle with performance and productivity—toward smarter, more effective practices. – Sandra Balogun, The CPA Leader
5. Neuroscience In Leadership
I want to learn neuroscience applied to leadership to better understand how the brain influences behavior, decision-making and learning. Professionally, it helps me design more effective coaching interventions. Personally, it improves self-awareness, emotional regulation and the ability to form habits that support growth and well-being. – Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Motiva International
6. Data-Driven People Analytics
One hard skill I want to master is data-driven people analytics—the ability to use metrics and patterns to understand team behaviors, engagement and performance. This skill would let me make coaching more precise and actionable, identify opportunities for growth faster and bring measurable impact to both my clients and my own personal development. – Shikha Bajaj, Own Your Color
7. Pricing Model Development
I want to develop skills in creating flexible pricing models that reflect clients’ career stages and coaching needs. For example, executive leaders and midcareer professionals require different levels of support and have different budgets. Mastering this will help me make coaching more accessible while running a sustainable practice. – Megan Malone, Truity
8. Agentic AI
Learning everything there is to learn about agentic AI. AI agents will become our new colleagues, and we must learn their language and how best to both operate them and harness their ability to our benefit. – Brittney Van Matre, Rewild Work Strategies
9. Data Visualization With AI And EEG
The “hard skill” I’m committed to mastering is advanced data visualization with AI and neuroscience tools like electroencephalography. In coaching, presence feels intangible—but data can make the invisible visible. By learning to decode brain signals into clear, actionable insights, I can merge science with leadership, helping clients measure and elevate consciousness in real time. – Alejandro Bravo, Revelatio360
10. UX/UI Design And Advanced Learning Analytics
I aim to master advanced learning analytics and user experience/user interface design. As a CEO, these hard skills will help me design data-driven coaching programs and create engaging digital experiences. This will align talent with opportunities, reduce overwhelm and empower leaders and teams to grow with focus, energy and measurable results. – Prof. Dr. Parin Somani, London Organisation of Skill Development
11. Campaign Optimization With GA4
I’m learning to tag campaigns cleanly, connect Google Analytics 4 events to CRM revenue and model customer lifetime value: CAC by cohort. This will reveal which ads and offers create high-value coaching clients, setting spend guardrails, improving forecasting and shifting budget from clicks to channels that drive retained, premium clients. – Andrea Hrusovska, HR4U Solutions LLC
12. Risk Modeling And Analysis
I want to master risk modeling—the ability to translate uncertainty into structured scenarios with probabilities and financial impact. Coaching often explores vision and leadership, but clients also need clarity on the “what ifs” that shape strategic choices. Being fluent in risk analysis turns abstract fears into concrete options, bridging intuition and disciplined decision-making. – Carlos Hoyos, Elite Leader Institute
13. Tableau Or Power BI
I want to learn data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI. Being able to translate complex data into clear, compelling visuals sharpens my ability to track client progress, measure impact, and tell stories with evidence. Having these skills would elevate both my coaching practice and everyday decision-making. – Curtis Odom, Prescient Strategists
14. Python
I’m learning Python because my frameworks deserve more than Canva; they deserve code and an app. I’m tired of translating transformation into slide decks when I could be building digital ecosystems that scale healing and leadership. Also, I want to stop nodding politely when my dev team says, “We’ll just refactor the backend.” I’m learning the language so I can lead the build, not just bless it. – Dr. Ari McGrew, Tactful Disruption®