The AI Edge for Education Leaders
Posts
Issue #2 | AI Coaching Prompts That Build Trust Without Sounding Robotic

Issue #2 | AI Coaching Prompts That Build Trust Without Sounding Robotic

Use these 3 AI prompts to build trust with teachers without sounding robotic.

Lawrence Kohn
June 02, 2025

From Leadership Partners. Helping leaders become more resilient, intentional, and future-ready.

⚡️ This Week’s Quick Take

Most AI prompts sound mechanical, don’t you think?

Great leaders want trust, tone, and human connection, and AI can help build that, if you know how to prompt it correctly. Let’s see how!

✅ 3 Trust-Building Prompts to Try Now

🔹 1. Build Reflection Without Judgment

📋 Use this when a teacher’s feeling vulnerable after a tough lesson.

🧠 Prompt: “I’m an instructional coach helping a teacher reflect on a tough lesson. Generate 3 open-ended, non-evaluative questions I can use to support honest reflection without defensiveness.”

🟢 Badge: Trust Builder | ⏱️ Save 30–45 mins of scripting

🔹 2. Clarify Expectations Without Sounding Harsh

📋 Useful for restorative conversations with recurring issues.

🧠 Prompt: “I need to clarify expectations with a teacher who is consistently late with lesson plans. Draft 2 coaching conversation openers that reinforce accountability while preserving trust.”

🔵 Badge: Difficult Dialogue | ⏱️ Save 20–30 mins of phrasing

🔹 3. Frame Strength-Based Feedback

📋 Great for post-observation coaching moments.

🧠 Prompt: “I’m prepping for a post-observation coaching session. Suggest language that highlights teacher strengths before introducing areas for growth.”

🟢 Badge: Culture Builder | ⏱️ Save 15–20 mins of planning

🔍 2 Trends You Should Know

🗂 1. The Rise of Principal-Created Prompt Libraries

Instead of relying on prebuilt apps, many leaders are now building their own prompt banks, tailored to their coaching style, district culture, and leadership goals.

This puts you in control of tone, trust, and context, and it’s where AI works best: amplifying your humanity, not automating it. Keep an eye out for AI Edge’s Prompt Library coming soon!

🗣 2. Emotional Intelligence Meets AI Prompting

Some leaders are prompting ChatGPT with “generate coaching language using emotional intelligence principles”, and it works surprisingly well.

🔗 CASEL EI Framework

🎯 One Leadership Strategy to Apply This Week

✍️ Prompt of the Week: “Generate 5 coaching questions a principal can use after a walkthrough to build reflection, not compliance — aligned with Danielson or HQIM frameworks.”

🟡 Badge: Feedback Fluency | ⏱️ Save 30 mins per debrief

🗣️ From Leadership Partners

You don’t have to give up human warmth to use AI.

In fact, the best AI prompts are the ones that sound like you, on your best day as a coach!