“Being able to meet people where they are is what will allow full alignment to develop, a greater impact to be created, less unnecessary energy expenditure, and ultimately a state of PEACE in the relationship.”
When it comes to developmental based relationships- such as the parent to child, teacher to student, or mentor to mentee- there are three distinctive stages the student transitions through.
The 3 Student Stages:
- The Child. At this stage the student’s success is heavily dependent on the teacher. The Child needs to be handheld, provided with all the basic needs for survival, and guided through every movement, decision, and emotional process.
- The Teen. At this stage the student has laid a foundation for independency and has the ability to provide safety for themselves and the ability to move, think, and process feelings.
- The Adult. At this stage the student realizes that true freedom requires one to return to a state of dependency, but with the nuanced understanding of interdependency where there is room for a higher level relationship that allows for the individual’s freedom to remain intact while producing collective growth.
As a leader these stages are important to be aware of for many reasons. The main reason is to be able to meet the person we are working with where the my are. Being able to meet people where they are is what will allow full alignment to develop, a greater impact to be created, less unnecessary energy expenditure, and ultimately a state of PEACE in the relationship.
Do you know what stage your athletes, students, kids are at? Do you know what stage you* are at as a daughter/son, student, partner, athlete? Understanding and being aware of where you and the people you have relationships with are at in these stages is the beginning.
*Note: You may be a grown ass man or woman and still be in The Child stage
Contributor: Carl Paoli