Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Chérie Carter-Scott, Ph.D., MCC is a visionary anomaly. As a child, she was deeply reflective and spiritual. She started to question the purpose of life at a very young age as she experienced living in an alcoholic home. Rather than becoming a statistic, she explored possibilities to find out who she was, what she could contribute, and where she belonged. Life wasn’t easy when at 20-years-old, her mother died, her family split apart and she found herself orphaned. This singular moment was her wake-up call, the realization that her future was in her hands, and whatever she made of her life was up to her.
Dr. Chérie was born with special gifts: the ability to speak in complete sentences, the capacity to draw out another’s truth, the capability to synthesize and articulate the bottom-line of a conversation in minimal words, and the synchronization of both her left and right hemispheres to work in alignment. She has always been highly disciplined and when she determines to start or stop doing something, you can consider it done! For example, when she discovered that she was a procrastinator, she set out to eliminate this tendency. At the age of 25, she asked for and received her life purpose: to be a catalyst supporting people’s transformation from the inside out. Her life has been guided by her “Messages,” inner imperatives that provide direction without any explanation.
Dr. Chérie is the original life coach, often copied yet never replicated. Her abilities are practical and profound, totally human yet a channel for spirit, improving everything and everyone that she encounters. She learns from everything that has happened to her. She firmly believes that the 10 Rules for Being Human were given to her to share with the world. She lives by their illumination that enables her to learn her lessons and move on. She is an example of walking her talk. She sees tragedies as an opportunity to connect the dots of her life and be an example for others to see what it means to “be the change.” She has overcome each challenge or obstacle by applying what she has been given to share with the world. She helps others overcome their challenges and make the seemingly impossible happen!
You’re called the “ Mother of coaching “ how does that feel and what responsibility does this come with?
It feels great because I started coaching in 1974, most people I have worked with haven’t even been born by that time. I feel honored to be the “ Mother of Coaching “. My students started calling me that, they said you are like our mother but not just that you are the mother of coaching.
Everyone seems to be a coach these days, do you feel the industry needs to be regulated?
The International coaching association and others have those responsibilities to uphold the standards of the coaching industry. For me the ultimate goal is for every human to have the basic understanding and skills of a coach, as far as I am concerned we can’t have too many coaches in the world. Not everyone will be a coach by profession but everyone should have that growth mindset.
What’s your advice for new coaches?
It depends on what their goals are, we can’t have assumptions, I would ask a coach what are your goals for 2022, what are your goals for yourself and your clients, I would then share what I would do in their shoes but would encourage them to keep in mind we are different people. We come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. Having clear goals is the most important for establishing a baseline which can then be invaluable for yourself and your clients.
What should an individual look for in a coach or mentor?
It’s interesting you would ask that question, it’s a critically important question. I wrote a chapter about this question in my book “ Transformational coaching “ looking at style, energy, how you learn and grasp concepts, how you respond to homework. I believe you should always look forward to seeing your coach or mentor. Your coach needs to be someone whom you want to develop from and glean from their knowledge and expertise.
What should a coach be looking for in a client?
I offer a complimentary “ Chemistry session “ I explain the difference between coaching and mentoring, I set out expectations and create a real partnership. It’s important to build an honest conversation about where they are at. I address full communication. I ask for how they respond to being asked to do homework so I can ascertain if they are the right client for me.
What makes a great coach?
I call this “ living life as a coach “ It’s so important that as a coach you are enjoying life. Your lifestyle has to match that which you are coaching and expecting others to achieve. A coach must be a great example of living out their own dreams, that they have gone through the process of confusion and doubt and are overcoming the challenges and going for it and living it out.
What does the world need right now more than ever?
Understanding, compassion, care, and kindness more than anything. We need to have empathy. We need less anger, if you’re angry, great, but deal with it in private, don’t take it out on others because you have something going on. Think about little acts of kindness, think about giving back and doing good. Hold yourself accountable for the good you can do, care for the planet and each other.
