Personal coaching is the service provided by Praestamus for individuals who are self-funding. The coaching may be directly comparable to that of executive coaching (that is, organisationally focused) however, individuals may be more likely to choose to work on their own goals. The key difference of personal coaching to executive coaching is the cost to the individual and the session timing. Prices reflect that of other professional services aimed at individuals who self-fund, such as therapists, and prices are also adjusted to reflect your level of income with the aim to provide a service that is as affordable as possible.
Sessions for personal coaching will last no more than one hour each and will usually be contracted in groups of ten sessions.
So what do people use personal coaching for?
Professional transitions – Whilst many organisations provide paid-for coaching for individuals identified as talented (or board members, or for those with performance issues), organisations may not provide coaching to everybody who would like it. Coaching may help you look at your own style of leadership and management, your ability to work in teams, or your ability to form good working relationships with peers or direct reports. Whatever the need, coaching aims to generate greater awareness of your self including strengths and weaknesses and supports you in reaching your potential.
Personal targets or goals – Coaching can greatly assist individuals formulate, prioritise and achieve personal goals whilst assisting individuals develop resilience, confidence or self-esteem. Perhaps you have been through, or are facing, an important life transition such as moving, divorce or retirement and would like support to get the best outcome. Coaching will help you understand what it is you want to achieve and help you get there.
What coaching is not.
Counselling or therapy. Many approaches to, and tools for, coaching have originated from the therapeutic world. However, where therapy or counselling might focus on past issues, stressors or trauma, coaching aims to be positively focused and framed on future outcomes and the steps needed to get there. It may acknowledge issues in the past or the origins of personal issues, but it does not aim to assist a healing process. If there have been difficulties in the past, coaches can usually work ‘content free’ so you don’t have to discuss personal or sensitive issues. However, if the coach believes an individual is suffering from the impact of past issues then it is likely that coaching will stop so that the individual can concentrate on the healing process first.
Mentoring. The issues, goals or targets an individual might bring to a personal coaching session(s) are limitless! As such, it is impossible for a coach to have specific experience in the issues or targets the individual wishes to work on. However, coaches should be skilled at applying coaching techniques and helping individuals generate awareness of their issues and as a result, set and achieve their goals.
Soft. Unfortunately many view coaching as a soft skill. Rarely, if ever, is the sole purpose of coaching to make somebody feel better or appreciated. Coaching can be more challenging for an individual than it is cathartic or supportive, but it can be, and might need to be, supportive at the right time in a coaching relationship.