Building Leaders: Coaching Youth and Young Adults
Part 1 of 4: What is the True ROI?
What is the real and true Return on Investment (ROI) for taking the time and energy to coach youth and young adults? What is relevant today which must be considered for this endeavor to be successful? The Big Why looms in front of us…why is coaching this population important? How do we coach young people? Is it just “life coaching” adjusted to young people from the ages of 14 – 25?
The answers to all of these questions must be answered in a very personal way. There is no “right answer” and there is no sociological analysis or global perspective to hang one’s coaching hat on. Each one of us must do our own careful examination based on “two tracks” in a very practical and realistic way. Here we go.
Track One – The External Factors.
Assess your immediate market and identify your ideal client. Do not cast a wide net over all “teen coaching” ideas, or “youth coaching programs” or “coaching young adults.” Break it down to be able to determine who is in your radar – do you wish to coach 1 -1 or in small groups – what problems are you helping them solve – what do they want from you– why should they sign up for coaching – can you explain what coaching really is?
Track Two – The Internal Factors.
Passion for helping young people is essential. However, it is only the first step. Courage is required. Do you have what it takes to coach in this area? Will you be willing to stretch and learn how to market to the parents, but enroll the teen or young adult as you would any client? (We will show you how to do this in Part 3 in this series.)
Are you ready to apply yourself to specialized training? Do you have the patience to coach a young person who brings uncertainty, struggle, and obstacles? Are you a leader yourself so you feel confident in coaching tomorrow’s leaders?
Take Action Now
Journal your thoughts with some of these mind-bending ideas and questions. Allow other questions to form. The answers are coming. Now, consider the higher goal – the ultimate ROI – “return on investment” of coaching our next generation. Write it out. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Coaching for leadership? Life skills? Personal growth and responsibility? What is it? Acknowledge that again, there can be no social construct here. Coaching cannot assume the posture of “telling” our opinions about today’s youth.
It calls upon the practiced and certified coach to take up the true mantel of coaching; to hold the space for each individual we work with, no matter what their age. Then and only then, may we embark on a client-coach path that honors each young person’s reality and helps them declare the best ROI for themselves in the coaching relationship.
Consider this deeply and join this conversation with Part 2 of 4, our next edition of Building Leaders: Coaching Youth and Young Adults: “Keeping It Real – How to Coach Young People in a Program-Format That They Will Love!”
About the Author:
Diana Sterling, PCC is a highly successful family coach and renowned thought leader in the specialty area of coaching teenagers, parents, and families. She is the founder and author of The Parent as Coach Approach®.
As Director, Parent, Family & Youth Coaching Division at Impact Coaching Academy, Diana teaches a step-by-step proprietary “outcome-based coaching model” coaches can utilize with their clients.
Contact Diana at: 1-800 686-1463
www.ImpactCoachingAcademy.com
www.ImpactCoachingAcademy.com
