Coffee and Coaching

Bernhard Kerres
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  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Coffee & Coaching is an espresso, not a seminar. Each week, Bernhard Kerres explores difficult conversations leaders avoid—and why practicing matters more in the age of AI. Bernhard is an executive coach, founder of RolePlays.AI, and went from opera singer to tech CEO to Silicon Valley founder. He coaches executives at Henkel, PwC, and Strategy&, and teaches at London Business School. Leaders perfect slide decks but wing conversations that matter. Performance reviews. Restructuring. Feedback to high performers. Short. Intense. Actionable. www.bernhardkerres.com | www.roleplays.ai

  1. 5D AGO

    50,000 Lines of Code in 4 Months, Part-Time. I'm Not a Coder.

    50,000 lines of code. Four months. Part-time. In the evenings. Normally takes 12-18 months full-time. Bernhard isn't a coder. But he built RolePlays.AI anyway—using AI. You have 12 months before corporates catch up. CREATIVE TIME BLOCKS: Bernhard blocks 1 week every 2 months for creative time. No plan, no judgment. Summer 2025: Coaching book idea → Lovable discovery → Coach Bernhard (built in days) → RolePlays.AI (4 months, part-time) Coach Bernhard: Free AI coaching app (ICF criteria) for clients between sessions RolePlays.AI: AI-powered roleplay platform Practice difficult conversations with personas that push backExample: 30-year-old coach practicing retirement coaching with 60-year-oldCustomizable for companies (values, frameworks, criteria)The Scale: Talk in Graz, Austria last week. Asked Lovable: "How many lines?" 50,000 lines = 12-18 months normally. Bernhard: 4 months part-time with Lovable + AI. PRIVATE UNIVERSITY WITH CLAUDE: Traditional AI courses = expensive + outdated. Solution: Built two courses with Claude (Anthropic): AI Deep Dive: "You are a top AI professor" + 10-20 min content + discussion + homeworkPhilosophy & CoachingAI Scaling Problem insight: Every LLM hits a "scaling wall"—more computing power or time (plateaus at ~4 min) doesn't help past a point. BUILDING YOUR AI TEAM: Claude Desktop: CSO, CMO, Finance, Operations roles Claude Cowork (Sales Agent Example): Problem: 300 contacts, no time for sales research Task: Excel with names + emails → "Prioritize by sales potential. Give context. Suggest pitch." Results (30 min): Priority ratings, classifications (L&D/Coaches/Facilitators), color-coded top 10, context, pitch approach What takes a colleague 1+ week: Done in 30 minutes. The Human Touch: "If you're in L&D, you might get an email from me. But I'll write it personally—personal contact still matters most." THE 12-MONTH WINDOW: Small businesses have massive AI advantage NOW. Corporates stuck: "An AI bot from a big company which is really crap." Can't use good tools yet (procurement, security, compliance). Window: ~12 months before they catch up. The Call: "We should use that window." THIS WEEK: Block Creative Time: 1 week/2 months, 1 day/month, or 2 hours/week Try One Tool: Lovable → Build a platformClaude → Private UniversityClaude Cowork → What task takes you a week that AI does in 30 min?Try RolePlays.AI: 3 free scenarios, practice conversations you avoid Use the Window: 12 months. What will you build? THE STACK: Lovable (12-18 months → 4 months) | Coach Bernhard (free coaching) | RolePlays.AI (practice) | Claude (University + team + Cowork) 12-month head start on corporates LINKS:RolePlays.AI: www.roleplays.aiCoach Bernhard: www.coach-bernhard.aiLovable: www.lovable.devClaude: www.claude.aiBernhard: www.bernhardkerres.com Coffee chat: Virtual or in Vienna #AI #Solopreneurs #SmallBusiness #Lovable #RolePlaysAI #ClaudeAI #Cowork

    21 min

  2. MAR 1

    Why Your Smartwatch Is Smarter Than NASA's Moon Landing (And What That Means for You)

    Your smartwatch has more computing power than NASA used to put a man on the moon. Let that sink in. This episode is about what happens when computing power becomes essentially free—and why that's both terrifying and liberating. THE JEVONS PARADOX (1865): British economist William Stanley Jevons observed something counterintuitive: When steam engines became MORE efficient, Britain's coal consumption TRIPLED (not decreased). Why? Efficiency makes a resource cheaper → more applications become viable → total consumption increases. The AI parallel: As AI becomes more efficient, we don't use it less. We use it MORE. Three years ago, nobody used AI. Today? Every listener probably uses it daily. THE FOUR-LAYER AI VALUE CHAIN: Layer 1 - Infrastructure (Chips): NO differentiation. Chips are so cheap your smartwatch > NASA moon computer. Layer 2 - Foundation Models (LLMs): Anthropic, OpenAI, Perplexity, etc. Not differentiating on quality anymore—now it's politics & branding. Example: Anthropic set conditions for U.S. Defense Dept work; OpenAI accepted all conditions. Branding matters: "I love Claude" vs. "Have you heard someone say 'I'm chet-chi-pting'?" (Like "Googling"—but it'll never catch on.) Layer 3 - Applications: NOT a differentiation. Why? Building is too easy now. Bernhard built RolePlays.AI in 4 months, part-time, 50,000 lines of code. He's not a coder—AI helped him build it. Layer 4 - Context & Orchestration: ⭐ THE DIFFERENTIATION Proprietary dataDomain-specific workflowsDeep integration into user behaviorSpecialized knowledge orchestrationMcKinsey and Bain agree: Context & orchestration is where human intelligence wins. THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH ABOUT AI COACHING: How do AI coaching apps compare to human coaches? Answer: AI compares well to AVERAGE coaches. If a coach goes by the book, uses tools correctly, follows frameworks—AI will match them. This is fortunate: It frees humans to focus on what REALLY matters. Not just standard work. Not "good standard coaching." Anything "good standard," AI will do better. That sets us free to be creative. To focus on problems AI can't solve. MUSICIANS ARE SAFE: Many musicians fear AI. Bernhard's answer: You're in one of the SAFEST spots—as long as you make GREAT music. Why? Great music requires: Life understanding of your audienceUnderstanding what lays behind the musicHuman depth AI won't reach anytime soonTHE PATTERN: Wherever you have: Specific expertiseSpecialized knowledgeThe wish to learn and developUse AI for: Tasks you hateAdministrative workSimple things that take time but don't add valueThat's brilliant use of AI. THE LEARNING IMPERATIVE: We need to continue learning. Otherwise, AI will enter our domain quickly. But this is great: We can use our brains in ways AI never will. THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Identify your Layer 4: What's YOUR context AI doesn't have? Your proprietary knowledge? Your domain workflows?Audit your AI use: Using it for tasks you hate? (Good.) Avoiding deep work, AI can't do? (Warning sign.)Invest in learning: What specialized knowledge keeps you ahead?Try RolePlays.AI: Practice difficult conversations. See how AI helps you prepare for human moments.FOR COACHES: If you're "going by the book," AI will match you. Your differentiation: Context, orchestration, human depth. Be extraordinary, not average. FOR MUSICIANS: Focus on GREAT music. Use AI for admin, not the creative core. SELF-AWARE ENDING: "Yes, this AI episode was not generated by AI; it was generated purely by me." - Bernhard www.roleplays.ai | www.bernhardkerres.com #AI #HumanIntelligence #Context #Coaching #JevonsParadox #FutureOfWork

    14 min

  3. FEB 16

    Do AI Tools Kill our Ability to Connect?

    I love building AI tools. But I'm worried we're forgetting how to connect on a human level. This episode is about presence, encounter, and why most leaders never practice the skill that matters most. THE 20:20:20 RULE (from Jacob Barnes / Simple Revolution): First 20 steps: How you enter the room. Bernhard practices his keynote entrances—wooden floor? Squeaky? How does it sound? Enter with full presence. First 20 seconds: NOT about talking. Taking in the room. Creating the bond. Finding 3-5 people to "play the room." First 20 words: Know them by memory. "If I wake you at 3am and say 'start your keynote,' you need to be able to say them." Everything else flows from there. YALOM'S WISDOM: Irvin Yalom (existential therapist, fiction writer—"When Nietzsche Wept," "The Schopenhauer Cure"): "The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help." Not fixing. Not solving. Just creating space where someone can reveal themselves. And that takes practice. THE POWER OF SILENCE: Bernhard shares a coaching breakthrough: The client couldn't make business decisions. Brilliant at pros/cons lists. Would create 4th and 5th options rather than deciding. The silence revealed: Fear. Fear of not being accepted. Fear of not being enough. "Suddenly, the silence brought us to the core." JAPANESE WISDOM FOR COUPLES: When in disagreement, sit for 3 minutes and look each other in the eye, then start discussing. "Like eternity. Really difficult. But fantastic." THE VIKTOR NOVÁK SCENARIO: Imagine giving feedback to Viktor—52, Czech, 9 years at an NGO. Blocking grant applications. Missing deadlines. Paralyzed by fear. What you don't know: Wife chronically ill for 3 years. Daughter in university. Supporting an aging mother. Can't afford to lose this job. When he asks, anxious, "Am I in trouble?"—can you hold that moment? Can you stay present when he's terrified? Most leaders can't. Because they've never practiced. WHAT PRESENCE LOOKS LIKE: Specific evidence, not judgment: "3 applications pending 4 months" NOT "You're risk-averse"Impact without blame: "When applications stall, partners lose trust," NOT "You're hurting the mission."Create space: "What's been happening for you?" Actually listen.Hold the discomfort: Stay present when they're afraid. THE PRACTICE GAP: Musicians practice before stage. Olympic athletes train before competition. Pilots simulate emergencies. Leaders? We wing the difficult conversations. WHY ROLEPLAYS.AI: Practice Viktor's anxiety. His defensive excuses. The moment you have to balance safety and accountability. Not because the AI conversation is the destination. But because when you're with the REAL Viktor, you're ready to be present. THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: One conversation. Practice presence. 20:20:20 before you enterHold silence when they're uncomfortableDon't rush to fix. Just be there.Try the Viktor scenario FREE at www.roleplays.ai Remember: The practice prepares you. The real conversation is still yours. ALSO MENTIONED: Bernhard's "Private University" was built on Claude (AI)EU requirement: AI training for all employees who use AILou Salomé (Freud's muse, Rodin's muse—"probably inspired Freud for psychotherapy")Graz keynote: 2 minutes of silent eye contact = "most uncomfortable situation ever"#Presence #Leadership #Coaching #DifficultConversations #Yalom #Practice

    20 min

  4. FEB 2

    Why Even the Best Musicians Practice Daily (And Why Leaders Don't)

    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: Prepare - Understanding the wider ecosystem, project context, and company environmentRehearse - Working efficiently with your team within strict time limits (like 3-hour orchestra rehearsals with one 20-minute break)Perform - Authoritative leadership when it counts (example: when the house is on fire, you can't discuss feelings)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 organizationFree feedback scenario available for trialReach out: www.bernhardkerres.comThis Week's Challenge:Before your next difficult conversation (feedback, performance review, objective setting): Identify what makes it difficultActually practice it once (even just talking through it)Notice the differenceTry It: Visit www.roleplays.aiTry the free feedback scenarioPractice a conversation you've been avoidingBernhard 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 KerresHashtags: #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?

    11 min

  5. JAN 26

    Why I'm Still Taking Risks at 60 (And Why You Should Too)

    #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.

    15 min

  6. JAN 19

    Can You Get a Second Date? (Why We Built an AI to Find Out)

    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!

    14 min

  7. JAN 12

    The OKR Conversation Nobody Practices (But Everyone Needs)

    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 difficultWhy practicing with AI that pushes back prepares you for real conversationsThe 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 conflictThe conversation requires challenging people without demotivating themMost managers have never practiced pushing back on activity-based OKRsJanuary is when these conversations happen—practice before they go liveEach persona conversation takes 30 minutes because real coaching takes time Links: Practice OKR conversations: www.roleplays.ai or https://roleplays.ai/s/BpMSFqCJ6MMHLearn more about Bernhard: www.bernhardkerres.comAdapt the scenario to your company: Contact us at office@bernhardkerres.com #OKRs #leadership #goalsetting #management #difficultconversations #performancemanagement #coffeeandcoaching

    18 min

  8. 12/14/2025

    The Need for Creativity

    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

    13 min
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About

Coffee & Coaching is an espresso, not a seminar. Each week, Bernhard Kerres explores difficult conversations leaders avoid—and why practicing matters more in the age of AI. Bernhard is an executive coach, founder of RolePlays.AI, and went from opera singer to tech CEO to Silicon Valley founder. He coaches executives at Henkel, PwC, and Strategy&, and teaches at London Business School. Leaders perfect slide decks but wing conversations that matter. Performance reviews. Restructuring. Feedback to high performers. Short. Intense. Actionable. www.bernhardkerres.com | www.roleplays.ai

Information

  • Creator
    Bernhard Kerres
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bernhard Kerres
  • Show Website
    Coffee and Coaching