This is the first in a series of blogs featuring Perfect Balance team members. We hope that you will enjoy learning more about us. This interview was conducted by Alexa Allen, a Salem College sophomore who is our Perfect Balance intern for January 2014.
Alexa: What do you like most about coaching?
Charlotte: I’ve been “coaching” since my early years while growing up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What I like most is the privilege of contributing to the lives of others. A leader in the industry said that I have the “gift of coaching” and what a high compliment that is.
Alexa: What is one of the highest compliments you have received from a client?
Charlotte: I consider it a compliment when my clients refer me to their colleagues, friends and family members — some even hire me to coach their children.
Alexa: And from a student?
Charlotte: Several of my students shared comments like this with me and one of them included it in his evaluation form: “You helped me to be a better man.”
Alexa: What do you like most about working with students?
Charlotte: I like the way we interact and how I hold myself accountable to listen to them. My educational experience in Tuscaloosa was very positive and it is a pleasure to create an environment where my students can have a positive experience as well. I’m proud to share that my overall student rating of instruction at North Carolina Central University was a 4.85 / 5.00. That is a tribute to the great teachers I had in Tuscaloosa.
Alexa: You seem to have a passion for supporting young men; can you talk about what you do and why?
Charlotte: I believe this stems from something that happened when I was in high school. One of my classmates was a popular athlete who confided in me about school, sports, and life. Behind the scenes, I “coached” him and helped him address some of his personal issues and be more confident on and off the field. He is still grateful for this, all these years later.
During my career, I have had the privilege of getting involved with young males – in their personal lives, their academic careers, with their families, and during their challenging situations. I’m very passionate about this and continue to seek ways to contribute to the lives of young males.
Alexa: You also have a passion for sports – tell us about this.
Charlotte: When I attended the historic Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, the expectation of the athletes was that they would be leaders in school, sports, and in the community. I have high regard for the courage and discipline it takes to be an athlete.
I’ve lived in three areas of the country where passion runs high for college sports: Alabama, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
If you’re watching a game with me you’ll learn quickly that I’m focused on the athletes and the coaches — their human interest stories and their post-game interviews. My takeaway: You can learn a lot about life through sports.
To learn more about sports, I watch a number of television shows including “First Take” on ESPN, featuring Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless. I enjoy their level of detail and the depth of their passion. Watching them interact is like watching sports.
Alexa: Outside of staying up-to-date on your profession, what do you enjoy learning about?
Charlotte: Of all things, I enjoy reading and learning about the personal credit scoring process. While I am involved with all types of corporate processes, I find the FICO process one of the most fascinating of all.
Alexa: What’s on your playlist right now?
Charlotte: I believe that you can learn a lot about a person by looking at the person’s playlist. I’m listening to contemporary and traditional Gospel songs, old-school R&B, new R&B, and a lot of songs by the younger generation. As an adjunct faculty member at North Carolina Central University, my #1 song on the playlist for teaching life lessons to students was “Slide Show” by T.I., featuring John Legend.
Alexa: What is the #1 piece of advice you’d give readers looking to improve their communication?
Charlotte: I would remind them that communication is the #1 skill employers seek. It really does matter for their success. I hope that readers will check my blog, which lists five of my top tips: “5 Communication Tips You Can Start Using Today”
