Jack Dorsey Just Cut 4,000 Jobs for AI: Here's Why That's Your Opportunity
Last week, Block CEO Jack Dorsey cut more than 4,000 jobs and restructured the entire company around AI. His argument: smaller teams with AI tools outperform larger workforces.
This wasn't a cost-cutting move. This was a CEO betting the company that AI agents can do the work of thousands of people.
And if you're a coach or consultant, this is one of the biggest opportunities you'll see in your career. Let me explain why.
What Dorsey Actually Did (And Why It Matters to You)
Dorsey didn't just fire people and hope for the best. He rebuilt Block's operations around AI agents that handle the work those employees were doing, research, reports, client communications, internal workflows.
The same logic applies to every small business your clients run. If a payments company with 12,000+ employees can restructure around AI, a coaching practice or a 10-person agency absolutely can too.
But here's the part most people miss: when companies go through this shift, they need help. The business owners making these decisions need strategic guidance. The teams staying on need to learn new skills. The people displaced need career coaching.
That's three new client segments that didn't exist two years ago. And demand is only growing.
The Numbers You Should Know
This isn't a trend that might happen. It's already here:
- 80% of enterprise apps will embed AI agents by end of 2026 (Gartner)
- 46%+ compound annual growth in agentic AI adoption across industries
- 40% of Fortune 500 companies are already deploying AI agents
- 65% of businesses under 100 employees will use AI workflow automation by 2027
Your clients are either figuring this out or they're falling behind. You can be the person who helps them figure it out.
Three Coaching Offers You Can Build Around This
When working with my clients, I always tell them: don't automate your coaching. You already know how to transform people's lives and bring them value. Automate everything that is outside of your zone of genius so you can focus on what matters most, helping people.
With that in mind, the AI shift creates three distinct offers, each one valuable on its own:
1. AI Implementation Coaching Help business owners restructure their operations with AI agents. Map their processes, identify what to automate, build the agents with Claude Code, and guide their team through the transition. This is a $5K-15K engagement and the demand is massive right now.
2. Career Transition Coaching Every wave of layoffs creates thousands of people who need to reposition themselves. Help them identify the skills that AI can't replace, build their AI literacy, and pivot into roles where they're working with AI instead of competing against it.
3. Leadership and Strategy Coaching Executives are making huge decisions about AI adoption with very little guidance. They've used ChatGPT a few times and think they understand what's possible. They don't. You can be the person who helps them see the full picture and make smart, ethical decisions about how to integrate AI into their organizations.
How to Talk to Clients About AI Job Displacement
Most coaches get this wrong. They either dismiss it ("don't worry, robots won't take your job") or catastrophize ("everything is about to change"). Neither builds trust.
Here's what actually works:
Be honest. Yes, some roles will be eliminated. Your clients respect you more when you tell the truth than when you sugarcoat it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I actually talk to my clients about AI without sounding like I'm selling them something?
Lead with their problem, not the tool. When a client mentions being overwhelmed by admin work, you say: "Gartner research shows 65% of businesses under 100 employees will use AI workflow automation by 2027. Most of them don't know how to start without breaking what's working. That's where we can help." You're positioning yourself as the guide, not the salesperson.
Should I be worried that AI will replace what I do as a coach or therapist?
No. The 4,000 jobs Block cut weren't coaching or therapy roles. They were operational, analytical, and administrative work. Your job is transformation and human connection, which AI makes worse, not better. What changes is your clients need help integrating AI into their business so they have more time and energy for the relationships that actually matter.
What's a realistic timeline to start landing these new clients?
You can start conversations this month. Most business owners under 100 employees know something needs to change by Q1 2025 when they're hit with their first major operational gap. If you position yourself now as the person who helps them think through the transition, you'll be the first call they make. I've seen coaches land 3 to 5 clients in this space within 60 days of shifting their messaging.
I'm a solo practitioner with no tech background. Can I actually advise clients on this stuff?
You don't need to be a technologist. You need to understand their business, ask better questions, and connect them to resources when needed. Tools like ChatGPT, Zapier, and Make.com handle 90% of the automation most small businesses need. Your job is helping them think through what work to automate and how to retrain their team on what's left.
How much can I charge for helping clients with AI transition work?
This is strategic advisory work, not hourly coaching. Expect to charge 40 to 60 percent more than your standard rate because you're helping them make decisions that impact their bottom line. If a client automates 20 hours of weekly admin work, the ROI pays for your guidance in the first month. Price accordingly.