A human executive coach vs a coach you text
A great human executive coach gives you depth: regular sessions, real accountability and someone who knows you well. TextLauren gives you help at 9:47am, right before you walk in. Many people should have both. Here's how to decide.
Lauren is a real coach. You're texting an AI trained on her coaching.
The short answer
Choose a human executive coach for depth, for big transitions, and when your company will pay. Choose TextLauren for help in the moment, follow-through between conversations, and coaching when there's no budget for sessions.
Many people get the most from both.
How a human executive coach works
Most executive coaches work in engagements of several months, with one or two sessions a month by video or in person, sometimes starting with 360 interviews and assessments.
ICF's 2023 Global Coaching Study found an average fee of $272 for a one-hour session in North America, and coaches who mainly work with executives charge the most. Executive coaching runs $200 to $500 an hour.
How TextLauren works
TextLauren is an executive coach you text. You save Lauren's number and text her when something comes up: the night before the review, ten minutes before the call, right after the meeting that went sideways. She asks a question or two, then helps with a plan, a script or some honest pushback, and she checks in afterward.
Lauren is a real coach. You're texting an AI trained on her coaching. That's what makes it available at 9:40am and at 11pm, and why it's a monthly plan instead of an hourly rate.
Side by side
| Human executive coach | TextLauren | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | High: you work through patterns over months | Focused on the moment in front of you, with memory of your context |
| When you can get help | At scheduled sessions | Any time; replies usually arrive within a minute |
| Who you're talking to | A human coach you choose | Lauren, an AI trained on Lauren Baptiste's coaching |
| Price | $200 to $500 an hour is typical, and engagements often run for months | A free first week, then a monthly plan that costs less than one hour with most executive coaches |
| Best for | Big transitions, leadership development, 360-based work | Tomorrow's conversation, and following through on what you planned |
Based on what each company publishes. Sources and the date we last checked are at the bottom of the page.
When a human executive coach is the better choice
- You're facing a big transition: a new executive role, a turnaround, a career change.
- Your company will pay for it.
- You want deep work on patterns with someone who knows you over months.
When TextLauren fits better
- The budget for an executive coach isn't there.
- Your hardest moments come between sessions.
- You want help today, not at the next appointment.
Using both
Use both: a human coach for depth, and Lauren for the moments in between. Lauren Baptiste's own private sessions run about $1,000. TextLauren is built on the same method, for the moments between sessions, and for people who can't budget for sessions at all.
What it looks like
board update at 10. CFO just told me the numbers changed. I have 13 minutes
ok. breathe. what changed, in one line?
Q3 margin is 2 points lower than in the deck
say it first, before slide 2: "One update before we start: Q3 margin came in two points lower than in your pre-read. I'll walk through why on slide 4." you look prepared instead of surprised. go get it
11:05 AMhow did the board take the margin update?
Try it before your next big moment.
Text Lauren what's coming up. See what coaching in the moment feels like, free for a week.
Hi Lauren! I'm deciding whether I need an executive coach and want to try coaching by text.
Lauren is a real coach. You're texting an AI trained on her coaching. Your first week is free. Cancel anytime from your account or by texting Lauren.
Frequently asked questions
Is executive coaching worth it?
For many leaders, yes, especially during big transitions or when a company pays. It's a significant investment, so it works best with a clear goal, a coach you trust and time to do the work between sessions.
Can an AI coach replace a human executive coach?
Not for everything. A human coach brings depth, judgment built over years and a relationship. An AI coach like Lauren brings availability, memory and follow-up between sessions. Many people benefit from both.
How much does an executive coach cost?
ICF's 2023 study puts the average one-hour session at $272 in North America, and executive coaches commonly charge $200 to $500 an hour or more. See the full breakdown.