Coffee and Coaching

Guest: David Martin Holte (Strategy&) | Host: Bernhard Kerres | Duration: 56 minutes

One-third of McKinsey's consultants are now AI agents. So why did David still have to show up to his client meeting?

In this conversation, Strategy& consultant David Martin Holte breaks down how AI is disrupting consulting RIGHT NOW—and shares his three-phase framework for what comes next.

THE THREE PHASES:

Phase 1: Efficiency (Now) - AI makes analysis faster, but junior consultants have the hardest job. You can't hide behind slide-making anymore. Must master prompting + analytical thinking + client skills simultaneously.

Phase 2: Symmetry (Soon) - When clients catch up with AI, many consulting tasks disappear. Everyone must "act one level up." Partners focus on what AI can't do: human interaction and coaching.

Phase 3: Autonomous (Future) - AI systems communicate with each other. Proposals generated and evaluated by AI. The new market: influencing AI outcomes (like SEO, but for AI).

THE RESONANCE THESIS:David's surprise prediction: The more technology takes over, the more valuable human "resonance" becomes. Not solutions. Not efficiency. The ability to truly connect with another human being.

"The more we use technology for everything, the more we wish for human interactions. I think this is probably just how we humans are." - David

KEY INSIGHTS:

• Junior consultants must learn to think when AI does the analysis
• Research departments struggling: "But ChatGPT says it's this way"
• Consultants practice presentations but not critical conversations
• Strategy&: Exception through Workplace Coaching course
• David's confession: "I use AI excessively for everything. I'm pretty dependent on it. It's kind of scary."
• The rare combination needed: Tech skills + emotional intelligence + resonance

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Hartmut Rosa, Resonanz
• McKinsey: 25,000 AI agents, aiming for AI parity by end of 2026
• Mario Neururer's LinkedIn post: "Wer übt fällt seinen Kollegen in den Rücken"

ABOUT DAVID:David Holte is a strategy consultant and coach enabling public sector and healthcare leaders to design resilient, future-ready organizations.

ABOUT BERNHARD:Executive coach, founder of RolePlays.AI, former opera singer turned tech CEO. Coaches at Henkel, PwC, Allianz, Strategy&. Teaches at London Business School.

TRY IT YOURSELF:Free Valentine's scenario at RolePlays.AI: Can You Get a Second Date? Practice difficult conversations with AI personas that actually push back.

These aren't chatbots. They get defensive. They make it uncomfortable. Because if you can handle a difficult first date, you can probably handle telling a CEO their transformation is failing.

www.roleplays.ai

CONNECT: www.bernhardkerres.com#CoffeeAndCoaching #AIConsulting #Resonance #FutureOfWork

In this episode, Bernhard Kerres shares insights from an unexpected meeting with 30-40 banking executives who just completed an orchestra leadership workshop. Their biggest takeaway? Even world-class musicians practice daily—but leaders rarely rehearse difficult conversations. Plus: Why the PR2 Framework matters, what to do when your opera co-star doesn't sing her lines, and why AI can't replace consultants in high-stakes meetings (yet).

Bernhard's leadership framework is based on his opera background:

1. Prepare - Understanding the wider ecosystem, project context, and company environment
2. Rehearse - Working efficiently with your team within strict time limits (like 3-hour orchestra rehearsals with one 20-minute break)
3. Perform - Authoritative leadership when it counts (example: when the house is on fire, you can't discuss feelings)
4. Reflect - The hardest part as you move up in hierarchy; requires people who give you well-founded feedback, not just praise

LINKS:

• RolePlays.AI - www.roleplays.ai (free feedback scenario available)
• Onlettvint - www.onlettvint.com (Feedback framework partner)

If you run leadership workshops or training programs:

• Orchestra leadership workshops available (contact Bernhard)
• RolePlays.AI scenarios can be customized for your organization
• Free feedback scenario available for trial
• Reach out: www.bernhardkerres.com

This Week's Challenge:Before your next difficult conversation (feedback, performance review, objective setting):

1. Identify what makes it difficult
2. Actually practice it once (even just talking through it)
3. Notice the difference

Try It:

• Visit www.roleplays.ai
• Try the free feedback scenario
• Practice a conversation you've been avoiding

Bernhard Kerres is an executive coach, founder of RolePlays.AI, and the first opera singer to become a C-level executive of multi-million Euro tech companies. He was the only artistic director of a world-leading concert house to bring his startup to Silicon Valley. Based in Vienna, Austria, he coaches executives at firms like Henkel, PwC, and Strategy&, and teaches at London Business School.

More at: www.bernhardkerres.com

LinkedIn: Connect with Bernhard Kerres
Hashtags: #CoffeeAndCoaching #Leadership #Practice #RolePlaysAI #DifficultConversations

Leadership, Executive Coaching, Difficult Conversations, Practice, Feedback, Performance Reviews, Orchestra Leadership, PR2 Framework, AI in Consulting, Banking Leadership, Situational Leadership, RolePlays.AI

Key Takeaway: Even world-class performers practice daily. When's the last time you rehearsed a difficult conversation?

#Roleplace.ai, #coaching, #AI, #difficultconversations, #entrepreneurship, #personalgrowth, #consulting, #leadership, #feedback, #technology

In this episode of Coffee & Coaching, Bernhard Kerres discusses his journey in creating ⁠RolePlays.ai⁠, a platform designed to help individuals practice difficult conversations using AI personas. He reflects on his diverse career, the challenges of scaling coaching, and the importance of practicing feedback conversations in a world increasingly influenced by AI. Bernhard shares his personal experiences, including the anxiety and excitement of entrepreneurship at nearly 60, and emphasizes the need for human interaction in consulting, especially when dealing with complex strategies and client relationships.

Takeaways

• Building ⁠RolePlays.ai⁠⁠ is a personal risk at almost 60.
• Practicing difficult conversations is essential for leaders.
• AI can assist but cannot replace human interaction.
• Feedback conversations are crucial in every industry.
• The balance of anxiety and joy is part of entrepreneurship.
• AI's role in consulting raises questions about learning.
• Difficult conversations require practice and preparation.
• The future of consulting may depend on human skills.
• Roleplace.ai aims to enhance the quality of conversations.

Key Topics:

- Bernhard's California first date disaster

- Arthur Aron's 36 Questions to Fall in Love

- Why first date skills = leadership conversation skills

- Meet Marcus (guarded divorcé) and Maya (curious nomad)

- The verdict: Would they want a second date with you?

Key Insights:

- A first date is really just one question: Can we have a real conversation?

- Most people fail first dates for the same reasons they fail work conversations

- The skills that work differ by person: Marcus needs safety, Maya needs genuine curiosity

- If you can pass the first date test, you can handle difficult conversations anywhere

Links:

- Try the first date scenario FREE: www.roleplays.ai

- Learn more about Bernhard: www.bernhardkerres.com

- Arthur Aron's 36 Questions: Search "36 questions to fall in love NYT"

Hashtags:

#firstdate #valentinesday #conversations #dating #communication #coffeeandcoaching

Call to Action:

Sign up at RolePlays.AI and try the first date scenario for free. See if you can get a second date from Marcus or Maya. Let Bernhard know how it went!

In this episode, Bernhard Kerres discusses the challenges and importance of effective conversations in the implementation of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). He reflects on his experiences as a CEO and coach, emphasizing that the failure of OKRs often stems from inadequate conversations between managers and their teams. The episode highlights the need for practice in these conversations to ensure alignment and focus, ultimately driving better results. Bernhard introduces a new tool designed to help managers rehearse these critical discussions, making the case that understanding the theory of OKRs is not enough without the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Key Topics:

• Why OKRs fail (it's the conversation, not the framework)
• Bernhard's OKR failure as CEO (trusted too much, didn't challenge enough)
• The five patterns that make OKR conversations difficult
• Why practicing with AI that pushes back prepares you for real conversations
• The 30-minute challenge: Why this scenario takes real time and real skill
• - How to adapt the scenario to your company's actual OKRs

Key Insights:

• OKRs fail when managers approve weak Key Results to avoid conflict
• The conversation requires challenging people without demotivating them
• Most managers have never practiced pushing back on activity-based OKRs
• January is when these conversations happen—practice before they go live
• Each persona conversation takes 30 minutes because real coaching takes time

Links:

• Practice OKR conversations: www.roleplays.ai or https://roleplays.ai/s/BpMSFqCJ6MMH
• Learn more about Bernhard: www.bernhardkerres.com
• Adapt the scenario to your company: Contact us at [email protected]

#OKRs #leadership #goalsetting #management #difficultconversations #performancemanagement #coffeeandcoaching

In this episode of Coffee & Coaching, Bernhard Kerres discusses the impact of AI on our lives and the importance of integrating technology into education and coaching. He emphasizes the need to embrace technology, particularly AI, as a tool for accessing knowledge and enhancing our daily lives. Bernhard also highlights the unique human ability to think outside the box and the role of music and creative practices in fostering this skill. He encourages listeners to engage in daily creative exercises to unlock their potential and improve their problem-solving abilities.

Find out more about Bernhard Kerres on www.bernhardkerres.com.

Takeaways

• AI is transforming how we access knowledge and information.
• Technology is an integral part of our future and won't disappear.
• AI excels in specific subject areas but struggles with broader connections.
• Humans have the unique ability to think outside the box.
• Engaging with music can enhance creative thinking skills.
• Learning an instrument can improve cognitive abilities.
• Daily creative exercises can significantly impact problem-solving.
• Writing by hand fosters creativity and self-expression.
• AI is effective for specific tasks but lacks human intuition.
• Meta-thinking is a skill that develops with experience.

Sound bites

"Technology is always there to stay."

"AI is brilliant to think inside the box."

"Writing by hand is a great start."

#coaching #ai #artificialintelligence #execed #training

In this episode of Coffee & Coaching, Bernhard Kerres explores the use of AI in coaching, highlighting his own tool, Coach Bernhard. He underscores the significance of maintaining high-quality AI responses by using content derived from his personal coaching resources. Bernhard critiques generic AI tools for often providing subpar information and argues for adopting specialized AI applications that draw from credible, authoritative sources.

Here is a link to the tools, Bernhard mentioned:

• Coach Bernhard, an executive coaching AI chatbot based on Bernhard's teaching materials and aligned with the ICF criteria: www.coach-bernhard.ai
• RolePlays.AI, a platform to practice challenging conversations around various topics: www.roleplays.ai
• Ask Bernhard, a mentoring and guidance AI chatbot for classical musicians: www.ask-bernhard.com

Find out more about Bernhard and Bernhard Kerres & Friends on www.bernhardkerres.com!

#AI, #coaching, #chatbot, #mentoring, #largelanguagemodels, #digitaltools, #executivecoaching

In this conversation, Bernhard Kerres explores the intersection of creativity, leadership, and artificial intelligence through the lens of Mozart's work. He emphasizes that while AI can enhance efficiency and mimic creativity, it lacks the human elements of passion, emotion, and purpose that drive true innovation. By drawing parallels between Mozart's creative process and modern leadership, Kerres argues that culture and creativity are essential for meaningful impact in any endeavor.

Find out more about Bernhard Kerres on www.bernhardkerres.com.

In this engaging conversation, Ama Duncan shares her journey from the hospitality industry to becoming a coach and the founder of the Fabulous Woman Network. She discusses the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Ghana, the cultural influences that drive women's entrepreneurship, and the impact of coaching on personal growth. Ama emphasizes the importance of asking powerful questions and reflects on her experiences in coaching, including the challenges and magical moments that have shaped her career. The conversation concludes with a thought-provoking question about life's purpose, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own journeys.

Ama is a coach with andQFIVE Coaching, a community of fabulous coaches from around the world accompanying clients through change and challenges.

#NewMondayMornings

In this conversation, Bernhard Kerres and Richard Bentley explore the transformative journey of coaching, discussing the shift from giving advice to fostering a listening environment. Richard shares his personal experiences, the importance of accreditation, and the role of coaching in leadership. They delve into the significance of empathy, the power of reflection, and the privilege of being a coach while also addressing the growing anxiety among clients in today's world.

Richard Bentley is a coach and facilitator at andQFIVE. Bernhard Kerres is the Managing Partner of andQFIVE Coaching. Get in touch, if you are interested in coaching, bouncing off ideas, or simply a coffee.