Why Coaching? Cultivating Excellence and Empowerment in Every Young Mind

Reflecting on my early experiences with coaching, two distinct occasions stand out vividly in my mind. Both occurred in my twenties: the first during my role in HR when my then manager coached me on personal and career development, and the second with someone very influential to me who had once been my secondary school Headteacher. The transformative power of these coaching conversations created an incredible impact, steering me towards a path of personal development that eventually led to me becoming a coach and gaining coaching qualifications.

This pivotal journey coincided with my transition from an administrative role to working directly with young people in various settings such as social care, schools, colleges, Youth Offending Teams, and universities. What I quickly noticed was that despite my on the job training to provide advice, set goals, and support young individuals in making crucial life decisions, a recurring pattern emerged. Even after the formal support concluded, the young people kept returning, seeking guidance and feeling a dependence on my presence.

I noticed that, for some, a certain level of autonomy was lacking. The realisation prompted me to integrate the coaching tools that I was learning for myself, into my sessions, and the impact was remarkable. Young people transitioned from making decisions based on expectations from their peers and others around them to identifying their strengths, passions, and aspirations. Those lacking confidence found their voices and advocated powerfully for themselves, academic achievements and job placements exceeded their initial expectations.

Coaching emerged as the catalyst for transformation.

As my coaching journey progressed, I extended my expertise to adults, working with CEOs, executives, musicians, actors, military personnel, and various inspiring individuals. However, a recurring thought was going round and round in my mind: what if the powerful coaching techniques used by professionals when working with adult clients, were made accessible to young people, their families, and the professionals working with them?

Reflecting on my formative experiences in my twenties, I thought about the potential impact on my life if I had received coaching during my teenage years. I believe that my personal development journey would’ve begun earlier and many of the choices I made in life through not believing I had many options, just wouldn’t have been made.

The untapped potential within the younger generation and the challenges related to school exclusions, mental well-being, aspirations, and career development became increasingly evident. This realisation, coupled with the desire to make a meaningful impact, led to the creation of Elevated Minds CIC in collaboration with CEO and Founder, Doreen Sinclair-McCollin.

When I use the term 'coaching,' it's crucial to define its essence. Unlike teaching, instructing, or mentoring, coaching, as defined by John Whitmore in 'Coaching for Performance' (2009), is about ‘unlocking a person's potential to maximise their own performance. It is about facilitating learning rather than merely imparting knowledge.’

In understanding our mission at Elevated Minds CIC, it's essential to appreciate the nuanced differences between coaching and mentoring. While both play vital roles in personal development, they operate slightly differently, but with distinct principles.

So, why coaching?

Coaching, as we've embraced it, is like providing sturdy branches and beams for a young person to construct their own unique treehouse of potential. It's about unlocking an individual's innate capabilities and empowering them to navigate their journey autonomously.?In the coaching space, there is a huge emphasis that lies on facilitating self-discovery, honing skills, and fostering a mindset of empowerment. It's a dynamic process where the coach; their presence, listening skills, questioning skills and ability to manage the flow of a conversation, support the individual in reaching their goals.?Coaches do this by asking probing questions, exploring possibilities, and co-creating strategies.

Mentoring, on the other hand, is more like having a seasoned architect share their blueprints and experiences. A mentor, drawing from their own journey, provides guidance, advice, and a roadmap for success. It's a relationship built on the mentor's wisdom and the mentee's receptiveness to learn. While mentoring is valuable for gaining insights and learning from someone with proven experience, it often involves a more directive approach.

In the context of our work, coaching becomes the catalyst for personal growth, equipping young minds with the tools to construct their aspirations. It's about instilling a sense of ownership and self-directed learning. While mentoring definitely has its merits, coaching aligns seamlessly with our vision of fostering independent thinkers, developing autonomy, growing an internal locus of control and empowering young individuals to navigate the complexities of life on their terms.

In essence, coaching is the art of asking the right questions, guiding the process of self-discovery, and nurturing the innate potential within each individual. It's the method through which we believe we can truly elevate minds and cultivate a generation of young people capable of building their own extraordinary futures.

Why Elevated Minds?

Helping young people reach their full potential is at the core of our mission here at Elevated Minds CIC.?As we embrace the transformative power of coaching, our aim is to redefine the narrative around support for the younger generation. We envision a world where every young person is equipped not just with knowledge but with the skills to navigate life's challenges autonomously.? We envision parents having the skills to coach their children and provide safe spaces for them to develop their identity.?We also envision the professionals who work with young people having the skills to help develop their locus of control.

In the realm of education and youth development, coaching is not about dictating the path or providing ready-made solutions. It's about fostering a mindset of self-discovery and empowerment. By incorporating our coaching approach and principles, we have witnessed phenomenal shifts in the perspectives and outcomes of the young people we have worked with.

Imagine a scenario where a young mind, faced with the crossroads of academic choices, peer pressure and an external locus of control, transforms from a passive follower of expectations to a conscious creator of their educational journey. Picture a teenager navigating the complexities of mental well-being with newfound resilience, confidence and self-advocacy. These are the tangible outcomes of coaching, and they represent the untapped potential within every young person.

At Elevated Minds CIC, we are committed to creating a ripple effect of positive change. We believe that by investing in the personal development of young minds, we are not just shaping individuals but contributing to the building blocks of a healthier, more empowered society. Our coaching approach is person-centred, recognising the unique strengths and aspirations of each individual.

As we continue this journey, we invite parents, educators, and professionals to join us – there’s power in numbers. Let's collectively nurture a generation of young people who not only dream big but have the tools to turn those dreams into reality. Elevated Minds CIC is more than an organisation; it's a movement dedicated to unlocking the extraordinary potential that exists in every young mind.

If you would like more information about the coaching that we do within schools and other organisations, or you would like to get involved, then please feel free to email me at [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you!

Visit the Elevated Minds Website!

Akeila Browne, MA

Akeila is the co-founder and Director of Coaching, Learning and Development at Elevated Minds CIC.? She is a trained, experienced and qualified life, mindset and business coach, corporate trainer and speaker with qualifications in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Life Coaching, Hypnosis, Career Guidance and Development and has completed an MA in Coaching at the University of Warwick.? She is currently studying to become a therapeutic coach.

Akeila has worked with organisations such as the BBC, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University, Aston University, UCB, RBS as well as schools in London and Birmingham and has coached within prison too.

She specialises in helping young people and adults to overcome mindset blocks and become more connected to their genius resulting in a greater impact, improved well-being, presence and higher performance.