We all want the best for our kids, and as they start to leave the nest, we want them to find work aligned to their natural talents. But how do we even identify what their strengths are?
If your teen is a natural leader, good a communication, or is good at solving problems, it's usually fairly easy to identify their strengths?
But what about less obvious ones? Skills like resourcefulness, being able to work maximise efficiency of work, or even futuristic thinking...
Helping your teenager uncover their natural talents is essential if you want them to step into a career where they'll be happy and fulfilled. Here are some research-backed tips:
Use Strengths Assessments Together:
Tools like Clifton Strengths, High5 Strengths, or even our own test–Next Step Careers Strengths Test–can be used to identify their strengths. These structured assessments give insights into their natural talents and character traits, providing a great starting point for career discussions.
Encourage Reflection:
Support your teen in reflecting on moments when they felt proud or accomplished. Journaling or having conversations about their favourite activities or achievements can reveal patterns that highlight their strengths. Research shows that reflective practices foster self-awareness and strength discovery.
If you've got a particularly reluctant team, you could always reflect on when they have stood out in the past. When working with students, I always go beneath the surface to understand why they like certain things or succeeded at others.
For example, if your teen is a good public speaker, is it because of their confidence, their communication, or even their sense of humour?
Provide Constructive Feedback:
As a parent, your observations matter. Whether or not your teen will admit it, they love hearing positive feedback from their parents. During our career consults, I always notice students eyes light up when I highlight the positive things their parent said about them prior to the session.
Share specific examples of when you've noticed your teen excel or handle challenges well. Gathering input from teachers, coaches, or mentors can also provide a fuller picture of their strengths. The more detailed the information, the more accurately you'll label their strengths.
Develop Their Strengths in Real Life:
Your teen is still young and their strengths will continue to develop with experience. The more experiences they have, the more likely they'll uncover their strengths. Encourage your teen to participate in programs or extracurricular activities that allow them to use and build their strengths.
Go beyond just sports and social activities–volunteering, arts, or even a summer job can help bring their strengths to the surface. Studies show that engaging in strengths-focused activities boosts confidence and overall well-being.
Try to find work that aligns to their strengths–I encourage all of the teenagers I work with to go and get work experience in at least 3 jobs aligned to their strengths.
Model Mindfulness and Self-Compassion:
Teach your teen the value of mindfulness and self-compassion. These practices can help them become more aware of their strengths and approach self-discovery with kindness and openness.
By mindfulness, I mean things like meditation, to yoga, to spiritual practices. If you've got an active teen, sports like surfing, running, and martial arts can be good for improving awareness and being in the present moment.
The connection between mindfulness and a greater awareness of personal strengths has been shown in research.
By using these strategies, you can support your teen in discovering and cultivating their strengths, setting the stage for greater confidence and success in the future.
If you would like help identifying your teens strengths and discovering a career path aligned to their strengths and interests, email me: steve@nextstepcareers.nz
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