How to Identify a Teen's Strengths

Ask your teen about her interests and passions. It is natural for teens to be drawn to subjects and activities they excel in. If your teen is unsure about where her talents lie, or if she is drawn to a wide range of subjects, help her explore the options.

Use an assessment, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, to help you pinpoint your teen's strengths if she is struggling to understand them. The MBTI Indicator is a questionnaire that helps measure the way individuals perceive their world and make decisions. Based on the findings, your teen can gain valuable insight into what type of personality she possesses, and in turn, where her strengths lie. Ask your local college or university to recommend a professional who is certified to carry out the MBTI assessment, or refer to the MBTI Master Practitioner Referral Network.

Make two lists -- one that includes your teen's strengths and one that includes her passions. Identify areas that appear on both lists. If your teen excels at something she loves to do, she is in a great position. Encourage her to develop skills in these areas. For example, she may be passionate about music and a gifted pianist. Help her explore ways in which she can make a future career out of this talent, and identify what she needs to do to get there, such as studying to become a qualified music teacher.

Look at your teen's strengths, even if they don't match her passions. Tell her that she can use her strengths to her advantage. For example, she may have excellent computer skills but doesn't want to pursue a career in information technology. She could use this strength to her advantage, however, as computer skills are important in many areas of business.

Support your teen when she focuses on her strengths. Remind her often about her strengths to help boost her self-esteem and to help keep her on the right track.