Question 1

What is Dehurdle?

Accepted Answer

Dehurdle is the intelligence infrastructure for human performance — the enterprise behavioral system of record. We deliver deterministic mathematical proof of behavioral change directly to the CFO, continuously predicting burnout, growth velocity, and succession readiness in the flow of work.

Question 2

How does the AI actually work?

Accepted Answer

Rather than acting as a passive chatbot, Dehurdle operates as an autonomous agentic loop. It intercepts ambient workflow topologies to dynamically scaffold developmental depth based on an employee's continuous real-time cognitive maturity.

Question 3

Is my data safe with Dehurdle?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Dehurdle uses a proprietary zero-payload architecture. We extract non-lexical telemetry natively at the edge without ever recording transcripts or reading private message payloads, instantly clearing Fortune 500 CISO firewalls.

Question 4

What is zero-payload architecture?

Accepted Answer

Zero-payload means Dehurdle never reads, records, or transmits private employee text payloads to cloud LLMs. Instead, we extract non-lexical biometric telemetry directly at the communication edge — measuring behavioral signals without accessing message content. This is why Fortune 500 CISOs approve Dehurdle instantly, unlike generic AI wrappers that trigger security blocks.

Question 5

How does Dehurdle clear CISO audits?

Accepted Answer

Unlike generic HR AI tools that send employee PII to cloud models, Dehurdle's zero-payload edge-compute architecture never touches private message content. Combined with SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, DPDP Act, and EU AI Act compliance, Dehurdle passes enterprise CISO security reviews on first submission — no multi-month vendor approval cycles.

Question 6

What makes Dehurdle impossible to replace once deployed?

Accepted Answer

Leaving Dehurdle means losing years of predictive succession data, psychological safety heatmaps, and longitudinal development graphs. Dehurdle becomes the enterprise's core behavioral system of record — every interaction generates highly structured behavioral data that compounds over time, creating an irreplaceable data moat that no competitor can replicate.

Question 7

How does the AI Coach align with our specific company culture?

Accepted Answer

Our platform deeply integrates your organization's specific "Focus Areas," "Leadership Frameworks," and policies directly into the AI's cognitive model. This ensures that every coaching conversation reinforces your unique values and strategic priorities, rather than giving generic advice.

Question 8

Is employee conversation data private? Can we see what they are discussing?

Accepted Answer

User privacy is paramount for trust and adoption. You cannot see individual conversation transcripts. You only receive aggregated insights and usage statistics. The only exception is during a confirmed high-severity safety escalation event, where duty-of-care takes precedence.

Question 9

How does the platform handle employees in crisis?

Accepted Answer

We employ a robust, multi-tiered distress detection system. If the AI detects high-severity keywords indicating self-harm or violence, it triggers an immediate "escalation" protocol. This directs the user to emergency resources (like 988) and can notify designated admin contacts, ensuring safety is never compromised.

Question 10

How do we distribute access to our employees?

Accepted Answer

We use a streamlined "Join Code" system. We generate unique codes for your organization, which you distribute to teams. Employees use these codes to "redeem" access, automatically linking them to your organization and funding their account with the allocated coaching minutes or sessions.

Question 11

Can we measure the ROI of this tool?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our admin dashboard provides tangible metrics on engagement, including "Coaching Conversations Started/Finished" and "Goals Created/Completed." This allows you to track the actual professional development activity occurring within your workforce.

Question 12

What coaching methodology does the AI use?

Accepted Answer

The AI is built on established coaching frameworks, defaulting to proven models like TGROW (Topic, Goal, Reality, Options, Will). This ensures that conversations are structured, outcome-oriented, and drive towards actionable results, rather than being open-ended chats.

Question 13

Is the AI available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Unlike human coaches who require scheduling, our AI Coach is available anytime, anywhere. This provides immediate support for employees facing urgent challenges, stress, or important decisions, exactly when they need it.

Question 14

Can we manage our budget by setting usage limits?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. When creating access codes, you can define specific limits for "minutes per user" or "sessions per user." This gives you precise control over your L&D spend while ensuring equitable access across your team.

Question 15

How is this different from a standard ChatGPT subscription?

Accepted Answer

Dehurdle is a purpose-built behavioral intelligence infrastructure, not a generic LLM wrapper. We build custom agents tailored to your organization's specific policies and culture, with professional safety guardrails, zero-payload privacy architecture, and long-term coaching memory. Unlike a ChatGPT subscription, each Dehurdle agent is architected for sustained professional growth, goal accountability, and deterministic capability measurement.

Question 16

How does the "Goal Tracking" feature work?

Accepted Answer

The AI actively helps users crystallize vague ambitions into concrete, trackable goals. It intelligently breaks down user intent into specific execution plans and sub-tasks, acting as an accountability partner by checking in on progress in subsequent sessions.

Question 17

What does 'agentic coaching' mean?

Accepted Answer

Unlike traditional coaching tools that wait for the user to initiate a session, Dehurdle builds custom coaching agents that proactively identify coaching opportunities by reading context signals — calendar events, communication sentiments, and workflow patterns. Each agent is tailored to your organization and deployed quickly into tools like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace, reaching employees at the right moment with relevant coaching.

Question 18

Does the AI read my employees' messages and calendars?

Accepted Answer

The AI uses contextual signals from calendars and workplace tools to identify coaching-relevant moments — such as upcoming difficult conversations or high-stress periods. It does not store or surface private message content. All context processing adheres to our enterprise-grade privacy standards (SOC 2 & ISO certified) and your organization's data policies.

Question 19

Is our data used to train AI models?

Accepted Answer

No. We use enterprise AI contracts with our model providers (such as Google and OpenAI) that explicitly prohibit training on customer data. Your employees' coaching conversations, goals, and organizational context are never used to improve or fine-tune any third-party AI models. Your data stays yours.

Question 20

What languages does Dehurdle support?

Accepted Answer

Dehurdle supports coaching across a wide range of languages — including English, Hindi, and multiple Indian regional languages, as well as international languages like French, German, Spanish, and more. Employees can interact with the AI coach in their preferred language, while maintaining the same ICF-inspired coaching quality across all languages.

Question 21

Has Dehurdle been featured in any publications or academic research?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dehurdle is the subject of an official Harvard Business Review case study titled "Dehurdle: Democratizing Executive Coaching Through AI-Powered Coaching App" (Product #IM129B), authored by Prof. Debolina Dutta and sourced from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B). Published in August 2025, the case study examines how Dehurdle is transforming executive coaching through AI. It is available at: https://store.hbr.org/product/dehurdle-democratizing-executive-coaching-through-ai-powered-coaching-app/IM129B

Question 22

Can we customize the coaching framework?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Dehurdle aligns deeply with your internal rubrics. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, we ground the AI explicitly in your company's leadership framework, focus areas, and strategic values.

Question 23

What kind of onboarding is required?

Accepted Answer

Onboarding is seamless and requires no heavy change management. Because the AI agent is deployed directly into the flow of work (via Microsoft Teams or Google Workspace integrations), there are no new mobile apps for employees to download or portals to log into.

Question 24

How does Dehurdle ensure the AI doesn't give legally risky advice?

Accepted Answer

Our engine uses strict professional guardrails and adherence to International Coaching Federation (ICF) guidelines. It's programmed to act as a framework-based sounding board, rather than explicitly telling an employee to take HR-sensitive actions. We also have rapid escalation models for flagged conversation patterns.

Question 25

Do we need to install software?

Accepted Answer

No, Dehurdle operates completely in the cloud with zero on-premise installation needed. It integrates natively via OAuth and enterprise SSO straight into the platforms your teams are already using every day.

Question 26

How do you handle data residency for global clients?

Accepted Answer

We offer enterprise-grade isolation. For multinational and European clients, Dehurdle enforces strict GDPR compliance and provides regional hosting options across AWS data centers, ensuring your data residency requirements are fully met.

Question 27

Is my manager reading my conversations?

Accepted Answer

No. Your conversations are strictly private between you and the AI. Your employer only sees that you are using the app to improve your skills, but they effectively have no access to what you are discussing. You can speak freely about workplace challenges.

Question 28

What happens if I admit to feeling really overwhelmed or unsafe?

Accepted Answer

User safety is a core design principle. If the system detects expressions of severe distress, it is designed to prioritize safety by surfacing relevant crisis resources. In critical situations, a safety protocol may be triggered to connect you with appropriate support.

Question 29

Is this a real person sticking to a script?

Accepted Answer

No, this is an advanced AI Coach powered by enterprise-grade Large Language Models. It is designed to deliver a professional, ICF-aligned coaching experience. While it is highly consistent and knowledgeable, it is an artificial intelligence system, not a human coach or counselor.

Question 30

Specifically, what can I use this for?

Accepted Answer

You can use Dehurdle for a wide range of professional needs: preparing for a difficult feedback session, navigating conflict with a peer, managing daily stress, developing "soft skills" like leadership, or setting and tracking career milestones.

Question 31

Can I use "Incognito Mode"?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Usage data is generally aggregated, but if you want extra assurance for a sensitive topic, you can enable Incognito Mode. This ensures the conversation is treated with the highest level of ephemeral privacy and is not used for standard memory formation.

Question 32

How does the "Goal" feature actually help me?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to manually fill out forms. You can simply tell the AI, "I want to improve my public speaking," and it will help you break that down into a plan with sub-tasks. It will then remember this goal and ask you about your progress in future chats.

Question 33

Can I talk to the coach by voice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The app supports full voice interaction. You can have natural, spoken conversations while walking or driving, making it feel much more like a phone call with a mentor than a text-based chatbot.

Question 34

Does the AI know about my company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your employer has shared key context about the company's values and leadership principles. This allows the AI to give you advice that isn't just generally good, but is specifically relevant to succeeding within your organization's culture.

Question 35

What happens if I run out of minutes or sessions?

Accepted Answer

Your access is funded by your employer through a specific allocation. If you hit your limit, simply contact your HR or Learning & Development administrator to request a new access code to top up your account.

Question 36

Will the AI remember our past conversations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The AI maintains a "long-term memory" of your history, the facts you've shared, and the goals you are working on. You don't need to repeat your backstory every time; it picks up right where you left off.

Question 37

How does the coach know when I need help?

Accepted Answer

Your AI coach can pick up on contextual signals — like a packed calendar, a challenging meeting coming up, or sentiment patterns — to proactively offer coaching at the right time. You're always in control: you can engage with the suggestion or dismiss it. Think of it as a thoughtful colleague who checks in when it matters.

Question 38

Can I use the coach in my own language?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Dehurdle supports a wide range of languages — including English, Hindi, and multiple Indian regional languages, as well as international languages like French, German, and Spanish. You can have coaching conversations in whichever language feels most natural to you.

Question 39

Is this a replacement for my manager?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. Your AI Coach is a supportive tool designed for your personal and professional self-development. It helps you organize your thoughts and build skills so your 1-on-1s with your human manager are even more productive.

Question 40

What if the AI misunderstands me?

Accepted Answer

Just like dealing with a human, if the AI doesn't quite grasp your point or goes down the wrong path, you can simply correct it naturally in plain text. It will instantly apologize, adjust its context, and refine its guidance.

Question 41

Does the AI judge my performance?

Accepted Answer

No, your AI Coach is an objective, judgment-free sounding board. By being completely separated from your official performance reviews or compensation discussions, it allows you to explore vulnerabilities safely and constructively.

Frequently Asked Questions

We use cookies