How to Help Your Teen Uncover Their Strengths (Without Telling Them What to Do)
As a parent, you know your teen better than anyone. You’ve seen their talents, quirks and the moments when they shine. But when it comes to career and study choices, telling them “You’d be great at this” often backfires.
Teens are at a stage where independence matters. They want ownership over their choices and if they feel like you’re steering too much, they may push back, even if you’re right. The secret? Help them discover their own strengths in a way that feels empowering, not prescriptive.
Why Strength Awareness Matters
When a teen understands what they’re naturally good at, their strengths decision making becomes clearer. They can evaluate study paths, job opportunities and life choices based on what truly energises and fulfils them.
Research shows that people who use their strengths daily are:
More engaged at work
Happier and more confident
Better at overcoming challenges
Helping your teen identify their strengths now gives them a powerful decision making compass for the future.
Start with the VIA Strengths Survey
One of the most practical tools for teens is the VIA Character Strengths Survey — a free, research-based assessment that identifies 24 core character strengths, such as curiosity, teamwork, creativity, leadership and perseverance.
You can find it here: https://www.viacharacter.org/
Encourage your teen to take the quiz themselves, then review the results together. Focus on:
Top strengths: Where they naturally shine
How they already use these: Examples from school, sports, friendships or hobbies
How these could be applied in the future: Linking strengths to possible career paths or roles
Ask Questions, Don’t Give Directions
The goal is to spark self-awareness, not hand them the answer. Try asking:
“Which strengths feel most like you?”
“When do you notice you’re at your best?”
“How could you use these strengths in something you’d love to do?”
These questions encourage reflection and ownership, rather than setting them on a track you’ve chosen.
Bring Strengths Into Real Life
Once your teen knows their top strengths, help them notice them in action.
At school: Choosing subjects or projects that align with strengths
At home: Finding hobbies or volunteering that use those skills
In work experience: Testing how strengths show up in real world settings
When strengths are used regularly, teens not only perform better but also feel more energised and confident.
How Empower Youth Supports This Journey
In the Empower Youth Programme, one of the first steps we take is helping teens uncover and explore their strengths, not just through the VIA Strengths Survey, but by connecting the dots between who they are, what they love and where they want to go.
We guide them to see their strengths as a tool for decision making, so they leave with clarity and confidence about their next steps.
Bottom line: Helping your teen uncover their strengths isn’t about telling them what to do. It’s about giving them the tools and space to discover it for themselves, so they can step into the future with confidence, purpose, and ownership.
👉 Join the free parent workshop “How to talk to your teen about career & study choices”
👉 Enrol in Empower Youth
Spots are limited—and your teen’s future is too important to leave to chance.
Louise Crowe
Career Coach | Empower Youth
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