When it comes to discussing career options with your teen, it’s easy to fall into the trap of offering advice, making suggestions, or even pushing them toward a certain path. But here's the truth: the most powerful way to guide your teen through this process isn’t by giving them all the answers—it’s by asking the right questions, listening actively, and encouraging them to explore their options.
As parents, our role isn’t to dictate our teen's career path but to help them uncover their own interests, strengths, and passions. A coaching approach to career conversations can help you do just that.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the essentials of a coaching approach, including how to ask open-ended questions and provide active listening that empowers your teen to make informed decisions.
What is a Coaching Approach?
A coaching approach is about empowering your teen to think critically about their career options and helping them find their own answers. It’s about creating a space where your teen feels supported, heard, and encouraged to reflect on what they truly want for their future.
This is different from traditional advice-giving or directing your teen toward a particular path. Instead of telling them what you think they should do, you’re helping them gain clarity about their own desires, strengths, and goals.
The Power of Open-Ended Questions
One of the most effective tools in a coaching approach is asking open-ended questions. These are questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and that invite your teen to think deeply and share more about what’s on their mind.
Here are a few examples of open-ended questions you can ask:
“What do you enjoy most about the classes or activities you’re involved in?”
“If you could do anything for work, what would it look like?”
“What kind of impact would you like to make in the world through your career?”
“What strengths or talents do you feel most confident about?”
“What would your ideal work environment look like? (e.g., independent, collaborative, flexible)”
These questions encourage your teen to reflect on their passions, aptitudes, and vision for the future. As they talk through their answers, you’ll gain valuable insights into what excites them, what feels aligned with their values, and what they’re really looking for in a career.
Active Listening: Creating a Safe Space for Exploration
Active listening is just as important as asking the right questions. When you listen attentively to your teen, you’re not only showing that you value their thoughts and feelings, but you’re also helping them gain deeper self-awareness.
Here are a few tips for listening actively:
Be present: Put away distractions like your phone or laptop and focus entirely on the conversation.
Reflect back what you hear: Paraphrase or repeat back key points your teen shares to show that you’re listening. For example, “It sounds like you enjoy solving problems and that’s why engineering appeals to you. Is that right?”
Ask follow-up questions: When your teen shares something important, ask them to elaborate. For example, “Tell me more about why that kind of work excites you.”
Validate their feelings: Even if you don’t always agree with your teen’s perspective, acknowledge their feelings. For example, “I can see how frustrated you might feel trying to decide what to do after high school.”
When you listen this way, your teen will feel safe and supported in exploring their career options without fear of judgment. This is key for helping them build confidence in their decision-making process.
Why a Coaching Approach Works
A coaching approach to career conversations empowers your teen to:
Discover their own strengths, interests, and values.
Take ownership of their career path and feel more confident in their choices.
Think critically about their options, leading to more thoughtful, informed decisions.
Build a deeper sense of self-awareness and personal responsibility for their future.
By adopting a coaching mindset, you’re creating an environment where your teen can explore career options freely, reflect on their goals, and ultimately choose a path that’s in alignment with their true passions.
Next Steps: Start Coaching Your Teen Today
If you want to help your teen make informed career decisions, start by applying these coaching principles in your conversations. Begin with open-ended questions, listen actively, and empower them to reflect on what excites them most about their future.
You don’t have to have all the answers—your teen already holds the key to what they truly want. With the right support, they can unlock that potential and begin building a career they love.
Looking for more support and training? Join me for my newest Parent University workshop: Empower Your Teen’s Future:The 5-Step Process to Building an Exciting Career Plan! Learn more and register HERE
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