Die menschliche Note: Warum persönliches Coaching besser ist als virtuelles Training

In-person coaching outperforms virtual training

In today’s digital age, virtual training and coaching have become widespread, supposedly offering convenience and cost-efficiency. However, in-person coaching remains the gold standard for cultivating genuine learning and personal growth. One key reason is the power of non-verbal communication - body language, facial expressions, and physical cues offer critical insights that enhance understanding and connection.

• A recent example: the leadership workshop hosted by an executive coach in Zurich: the coach noticed one participant’s hesitation during a group exercise - not through words, but through subtle shifts in posture and lack of eye contact. This led to an offline discussion in the break that uncovered aspects of performance anxiety the participant hadn’t wished to articulate in front of others. This spontaneous interaction was possible only because coach and participant were present in the same room.

Another benefit of in-person coaching is the immersive environment it promotes - one that removes distractions and fosters engagement. Physical spaces designed for learning, such as training centres or offsite retreats, help set a tone of focus and intent. Imagine a team-building retreat in the Swiss Alps where team members were able to disconnect from the grip of digital devices and engage in hands-on challenges. These participants not only developed their key communication skills but also formed stronger bonds, which translated into improved collaboration back at the office. Virtual formats often struggle to replicate that kind of camaraderie, since screen fatigue and home interruptions dilute the experience.

Lastly, in-person settings enable immediate, nuanced feedback and strengthen trust more naturally. A sports coach, for example, can adjust an athlete’s posture mid-action, offering corrections in real time that simply can’t be conveyed effectively over video. The same principle applies to corporate coaching. In one real-life case, a client in Luxembourg introduced in-person sales training sessions, allowing the coach to observe and critique client meeting simulations with employees directly. The result? A measurable improvement in advisory performance and skills retention, which the company attributes to the hands-on learning style.

While virtual tools have their merits - especially for convenience and scalability - they often miss the essential emotional resonance and personalised insights that only in-person interactions can offer: and which ultimately are reflected in the company’s financial results and client satisfaction levels.