Expanding Possibilities
Written by: Kristin Kudrna
Training & Support Coordinator
If you attended our TeamMates Summer conference, you were introduced to the idea of “Developmental Relationships”. Developmental relationships are essential to help young people discover how to become their best selves.
There are 5 elements of Developmental Relationships:
- EXPRESS CARE
- CHALLENGE GROWTH
- PROVIDE SUPPORT
- SHARE POWER
- EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES
Developmental relationships don’t happen accidentally, or overnight. Building them requires intentional focus.
This month’s focus is on Expanding Possibilities— Expanding Possibilities means “Connect me with people and ideas that broaden my world!”
The 3 Actions associated with this are:
- INSPIRE
- BROADEN
- CONNECT
INSPIRE ME
TO SEE POSSIBILITIES FOR MY FUTURE.
BROADEN HORIZONS
EXPOSE ME TO NEW IDEAS, EXPERIENCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES.
CONNECT ME
INTRODUCE ME TO IDEAS AND PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP ME GROW.
EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES can look different for each TeamMates Match. Expanding possibilities can begin at any age and grade.
For example: If you have a mentee in grades 3-5, you may begin talking about Jr. High and High School clubs, sports or what it’s like to “change classrooms and have a locker”.
Or if you have a mentee in upper grades- here is an each Match Activity to stir their thinking about their future.
This activity is called “Life Map”
Life Maps can help us plan for our future. They help us (or our mentees) discover WHERE we are; Where we are GOING, and HOW we will get there!”
With your mentee- your discussion can begin with easy questions like: where do you live NOW? What things do you like doing NOW? What classes do you like?
Your mentee’s big life goals are their “destinations”- Continue your conversation by asking your mentee: Where are you GOING? What’s your future look like?
An example may be that your mentee:
Loves to Cook, and really enjoys their FCS classes. Maybe their future goal or future “destination” is to become a chef!
- Next, your mentee will have to learn the PATHWAY to get to this goal. There may be more than one pathway to reach their Destination.
- This is where you as a mentor come in.
- Help your mentee by being “specific about the qualifications needed “ and give details about the qualifications they need or “tasks they will need to complete” to reach their goal or their “destination”.
It’s recommended to revisit your “Life Map” and make edits as your mentee grows and changes, and refer back to it so your mentee keeps heading in the right direction!
Good Luck with this Match Activity!