Overcoming Virtual Coaching Fatigue: Strategies for Coaches and Coachees

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I clicked through my calendar, and I haven’t had a “working day” for most of the year without at least one back-to-back meeting! What about you? When was the last time you had a day that wasn’t filled with at least one back-to-back virtual meeting?

I clicked through my calendar, and I haven’t had a “working day” for most of the year without at least one back-to-back meeting! What about you? When was the last time you had a day that wasn’t filled with at least one back-to-back virtual meeting?

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In addition to all the time I spend scrolling social media on my phone and watching Netflix on my TV, my professional work certainly contributes to my screen fatigue! Let’s face it, screen fatigue affects us all—both coaches and coachees. Here are some strategies to help us all overcome virtual fatigue without compromising outcomes and experiences.

In addition to all the time I spend scrolling social media on my phone and watching Netflix on my TV, my professional work certainly contributes to my screen fatigue! Let’s face it, screen fatigue affects us all—both coaches and coachees. Here are some strategies to help us all overcome virtual fatigue without compromising outcomes and experiences.

Understanding Virtual Coaching Fatigue

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Yes, screen fatigue is often associated with tired eyes and can even trigger headaches. However, the mental exhaustion that comes from virtual fatigue is sometimes hard to quantify. We all know it happens, but sometimes we don’t pause to reflect on how it affects our work. From reduced focus to lack of engagement, staring at screens all day is challenging.

Yes, screen fatigue is often associated with tired eyes and can even trigger headaches. However, the mental exhaustion that comes from virtual fatigue is sometimes hard to quantify. We all know it happens, but sometimes we don’t pause to reflect on how it affects our work. From reduced focus to lack of engagement, staring at screens all day is challenging.

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What might this look like for a coach? Virtual coaching fatigue may influence their presence and the energy level they bring to a session. They may also feel less creative or find it harder to maintain meaningful conversations.

What might this look like for a coach? Virtual coaching fatigue may influence their presence and the energy level they bring to a session. They may also feel less creative or find it harder to maintain meaningful conversations.

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How does virtual coaching fatigue show up in your professional life?

How does virtual coaching fatigue show up in your professional life?

Strategies for Virtual Coaches to Leverage

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The Structure of Your Coaching Sessions

The Structure of Your Coaching Sessions

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Long virtual coaching sessions can amplify fatigue. Coaches can structure coaching conversations to run 45 minutes instead of an hour. A 45-minute discussion leaves space for you to prepare beforehand and reflect afterward. Another consideration is for coaches to build in brief pauses for silent reflection, thought gathering, and journaling activities. The ultimate goal of a coaching session is not merely to maintain a nonstop conversation.

Long virtual coaching sessions can amplify fatigue. Coaches can structure coaching conversations to run 45 minutes instead of an hour. A 45-minute discussion leaves space for you to prepare beforehand and reflect afterward. Another consideration is for coaches to build in brief pauses for silent reflection, thought gathering, and journaling activities. The ultimate goal of a coaching session is not merely to maintain a nonstop conversation.

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Technology Decisions for Your Coaching Sessions

Technology Decisions for Your Coaching Sessions

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Not every coaching exchange requires a video call. Depending on your comfort level (and your coachees!) with technology, consider times when offering options outside of a video conference may be appropriate. Some options may include phone calls, “walk and talk” conversations, and even avatar-based VR sessions. These alternatives reduce screen exposure while maintaining continuity and accountability.

Not every coaching exchange requires a video call. Depending on your comfort level (and your coachees!) with technology, consider times when offering options outside of a video conference may be appropriate. Some options may include phone calls, “walk and talk” conversations, and even avatar-based VR sessions. These alternatives reduce screen exposure while maintaining continuity and accountability.

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Model Fatigue-Management Strategies

Model Fatigue-Management Strategies

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Coaches can set the tone by demonstrating their fatigue-management strategies. From standing during calls to staying hydrated throughout the conversation to having occasional “camera-off” moments, it is essential to model fatigue management strategies. By normalizing these practices, coaches signal to coachees that a practical coaching session doesn’t depend on staring at a screen nonstop.

Coaches can set the tone by demonstrating their fatigue-management strategies. From standing during calls to staying hydrated throughout the conversation to having occasional “camera-off” moments, it is essential to model fatigue management strategies. By normalizing these practices, coaches signal to coachees that a practical coaching session doesn’t depend on staring at a screen nonstop.

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Which strategy will you implement in your coaching practice this week?

Which strategy will you implement in your coaching practice this week?

Strategies for Coachees to Use

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Create a Comfortable Environment

Create a Comfortable Environment

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Minor adjustments can make sessions more comfortable for coachees. Everyone has their perspective on what a comfortable environment may resemble. For some, that may be adjusting the screen or desk heights for a standing conversation. For others, it may mean using noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions. Others may prefer to take the session from a couch or recliner. Some may adjust the lighting intensity or color in the room from which they are taking the session to reduce eye strain. Coaches can be intentional and encourage coachees to adapt their environment to make it most comfortable.

Minor adjustments can make sessions more comfortable for coachees. Everyone has their perspective on what a comfortable environment may resemble. For some, that may be adjusting the screen or desk heights for a standing conversation. For others, it may mean using noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions. Others may prefer to take the session from a couch or recliner. Some may adjust the lighting intensity or color in the room from which they are taking the session to reduce eye strain. Coaches can be intentional and encourage coachees to adapt their environment to make it most comfortable.

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Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Manage Energy, Not Just Time

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Instead of wedging a coaching session in between back-to-back meetings, some coachees may benefit from a pre- and post-time buffer. Coaches can encourage coachees to place a 15-minute block on their calendars before and after the session. This buffer may help combat meeting and screen fatigue. This buffer is also an opportunity for the coachee to mentally prepare for the coaching session and take any breaks they may need.

Instead of wedging a coaching session in between back-to-back meetings, some coachees may benefit from a pre- and post-time buffer. Coaches can encourage coachees to place a 15-minute block on their calendars before and after the session. This buffer may help combat meeting and screen fatigue. This buffer is also an opportunity for the coachee to mentally prepare for the coaching session and take any breaks they may need.

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Embrace the Coaching Journey

Embrace the Coaching Journey

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The coaching journey doesn’t end when the conversation ends. Coaches may encourage coachees to take ownership of their journey by journaling, recording quick audio reflections, or tracking progress in a shared document. This type of asynchronous development supports the synchronous sessions by allowing coachees to process insights without extending screen time. These individual activities deepen learning while reducing the intensity required during sessions themselves.

The coaching journey doesn’t end when the conversation ends. Coaches may encourage coachees to take ownership of their journey by journaling, recording quick audio reflections, or tracking progress in a shared document. This type of asynchronous development supports the synchronous sessions by allowing coachees to process insights without extending screen time. These individual activities deepen learning while reducing the intensity required during sessions themselves.

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Which strategy will you encourage your coachees to implement moving forward?

Which strategy will you encourage your coachees to implement moving forward?

Organizational Culture and Virtual Fatigue

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Yes, these individual strategies will certainly help. But it is crucial to understand the roles organizations and organizational culture have in reducing fatigue. Human resources leaders and organizational leaders influence organizational culture and embrace a culture that aims to minimize virtual fatigue. Consider the following:

Yes, these individual strategies will certainly help. But it is crucial to understand the roles organizations and organizational culture have in reducing fatigue. Human resources leaders and organizational leaders influence organizational culture and embrace a culture that aims to minimize virtual fatigue. Consider the following:

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  Train coaches and managers to understand when it makes sense to use video and non-video options.

  Train coaches and managers to understand when it makes sense to use video and non-video options.

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  Adjust scheduling norms to avoid back-to-back meetings and encourage buffer time between sessions.

  Adjust scheduling norms to avoid back-to-back meetings and encourage buffer time between sessions.

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  Emphasize outcomes (progress, insights, behavioral shifts) over the number of minutes spent on video calls.

  Emphasize outcomes (progress, insights, behavioral shifts) over the number of minutes spent on video calls.

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  Recognize virtual fatigue as a legitimate barrier to performance and address it openly.

  Recognize virtual fatigue as a legitimate barrier to performance and address it openly.

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By normalizing practices that prioritize well-being , organizations create conditions where virtual coaching can thrive long-term.

By normalizing practices that prioritize well-being, organizations create conditions where virtual coaching can thrive long-term.

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How might your organization reduce virtual fatigue?

How might your organization reduce virtual fatigue?

Virtual Coaching Is Here to Stay

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Virtual coaching is here to stay. But virtual coaching doesn’t have to come at the cost of energy and focus—for the coach or coachee. By making minor, intentional adjustments, coaches and coachees can reduce fatigue while maintaining and even enhancing effectiveness.

Virtual coaching is here to stay. But virtual coaching doesn’t have to come at the cost of energy and focus—for the coach or coachee. By making minor, intentional adjustments, coaches and coachees can reduce fatigue while maintaining and even enhancing effectiveness.

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The next time you prepare for a coaching conversation, try incorporating one or two of these strategies. Protecting your energy isn’t just about comfort. It’s about ensuring that every coaching session delivers on its purpose: growth, clarity, and meaningful progress.

The next time you prepare for a coaching conversation, try incorporating one or two of these strategies. Protecting your energy isn’t just about comfort. It’s about ensuring that every coaching session delivers on its purpose: growth, clarity, and meaningful progress.