How do you convince stakeholders that you’re on their side?

One of the most critical skills to develop as a counsellor is the ability to manage stakeholders effectively. Stakeholders in the context of careers guidance can include students, parents, teachers, administrators and community members.

Actively listening, establishing trust and navigating challenging conversations with empathy will enhance your ability to help students and create a supportive career guidance environment. Remember: every conversation is an opportunity for growth, both for your students and for you as a counsellor.

Build a strong foundation of knowledge

It is essential to have a solid understanding of career development theories, assessment tools and labour market trends. This knowledge will help you provide informed guidance and advice.

You can update this knowledge regularly by attending workshops and webinars, reading industry literature, sharing findings with colleagues and encouraging a culture of continuous learning in the school through staff meetings, information nights and teacher-train-teacher days.

Develop active listening skills

One of the keys to building trust with stakeholders is active listening. Show empathy and understanding during interactions and do your best to fully comprehend their concerns and expectations.

When meeting students and parents for the first time, ask paraphrasing and clarifying questions. Encourage students to open up by creating a non-judgemental and supportive environment.

Establish trust and rapport

The more trust there is between counsellors and stakeholders, the more effective the conversations will be. Keep confidentiality when required and ensure that students and their families feel safe sharing personal information. Advocate for the students and listen to their parents’ concerns.

Manage expectations

Communicate clearly about the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Students, parents, teachers and SLT should understand what they can expect from you and what you expect from them.

At the beginning of your career guidance journey with students, develop a written agreement that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the process. Regularly review and update this agreement as needed.

Challenging conversations with stakeholders

One of the biggest issues you will encounter is challenging conversations, which can revolve around differing expectations, difficult decisions or setbacks. In my current practice, I approach it in the following way:

Use a strengths-based approach

Focus on the strengths and potential of the student when discussing challenges or setbacks. By using strength-based tests, you can help students identify their strengths in order to overcome challenges. Encourage parents and teachers to do the same.

Practise emotional intelligence

Acknowledge and validate the emotions of all stakeholders. Developing self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills – and applying these skills to understanding and addressing the emotions of students and their families – is essential.

Seek common ground

In challenging conversations, aim to find common ground and shared goals. This approach can help build consensus and resolve issues more effectively.

Engage in collaborative goal-setting with students, parents and teachers. Finding shared objectives can lead to better outcomes.

Become part of the global career guidance community

By sharing your experiences and learnings with the global career guidance community, you contribute to the growth and development of the profession. You can:

• Attend conferences and workshops to network with other counsellors and share best practices.
• Write articles or blog posts sharing your insights and experiences.
• Participate in online forums and discussions to exchange knowledge and seek advice.
• Mentor and guide newer counsellors.