6 Key High Potential Characteristics You Can Teach Your Teen

Why I wrote this article?

I wanted to share this article because I wish someone had helped me learn the high potential child characteristics when I was a teen. My primary focus in high school was getting good grades and doing well in sports. I never really thought about how or why I approached challenges and added value to others, I just did it. In retrospect, I’m sure I would have been able to get better grades, perform better in sports, and improve my relationships with those around me if I had gained some training in these areas. Over the years, I have determined that there are 6 key high-potential characteristics that contribute to an individual’s success personally and professionally. I call these the “Six High Potential Essentials,” and I have been sharing them for over 20 years. I encourage you to help your teen learn these skills as early as possible, as it will greatly impact their future success. They are as follows:

1. Determine and live by your personal core values.
2. Do what you say you will do.
3. Finish what you start.
4. Arrive on time.
5. Say please, thank you, and you are welcome.
6. Be willing to apologize when you are wrong.

Let’s tackle each one in order so that you can effectively share these high-potential characteristics with your teen.

Determine and live by your personal core values.

How do you explain the importance of personal core values to a teen?

A teenager’s personal core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide their behavior, decisions, and actions. These values are unique to the teen and are based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and goals. They reflect what is most important and meaningful to them, and serve as a foundation for their personal and professional development. Examples of personal core values for a teenager might include integrity, respect, responsibility, kindness, creativity, or determination.

What happens when teens have a clear understanding of their personal core values?

When teenagers have a clear understanding of their personal core values, they are better able to make decisions and take action that align with their beliefs and principles. This can help them to feel more confident and self-assured, and to be more effective and successful in achieving their goals. Having a clear understanding of their personal core values can also help teenagers to stay true to themselves, and to avoid making decisions that conflict with their beliefs and principles. This can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, and a stronger sense of personal identity and purpose.

Do what you say you will do.

How do you explain the importance of doing what you say you will do to teens?

The importance of doing what you say you will do, also known as following through on your commitments, is crucial for building trust and credibility with others. When you make a promise or commitment, you are essentially giving your word that you will do something. If you do not follow through on your commitments, it can damage your relationships and harm your reputation.

For teens, it is especially important to follow through on their commitments because they are still developing their sense of responsibility and building their reputation. Teens who are able to follow through on their commitments are more likely to be trusted and respected by their peers, teachers, and other adults. Additionally, following through on commitments can help teens build a strong work ethic and set them up for success in their future endeavors.

What happens when teens have a clear understanding of the benefit of them doing what they say they will do?

When teens have a clear understanding of the benefits of following through on their commitments, they may be more likely to make and keep promises. They may also be more likely to take their commitments seriously and make an effort to fulfill them to the best of their ability.

Having a clear understanding of the benefits of following through on commitments can also help teens to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability. They may be more likely to think carefully before making promises and to consider their ability to fulfill them before committing to something. This can help to prevent them from making unrealistic or unachievable commitments, which can lead to disappointment or frustration for both the teen and the person they made the commitment to.

Overall, when teens have a clear understanding of the benefits of following through on their commitments, it can help them to develop strong relationships, a sense of responsibility, and a good reputation. These are all important skills and qualities that can benefit them throughout their lives.

Finish what you start.

How do you explain the importance of finishing what you start to teens?

Explaining the importance of finishing what you start to teenagers can be challenging, as they may not yet have developed a strong sense of responsibility or a long-term perspective. However, here are a few points that you could highlight:

1. Finishing what you start can help to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment. This is an important quality to have in both personal and professional settings, as it shows that you can be relied upon to follow through on your commitments and can be counted on to do what you say you will do.
2. Finishing what you start can help you to achieve a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When you complete a task or project that you have started, you can feel proud of yourself and your achievements, which can boost your self-esteem and confidence.
3. Finishing what you start can also help to build your reputation for reliability and dependability. If you are known for following through on your commitments and seeing things through to the end, others will be more likely to trust you and rely on you in the future.
4. Finishing what you start can also help you to develop important skills and habits that will be beneficial in the long term. For example, completing a task or project can help you to develop time management skills, as well as the ability to set and achieve goals. These skills and habits can be beneficial in both your personal and professional life.

Overall, it’s important to emphasize to teenagers the long-term benefits of finishing what they start and to encourage them to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment to their goals and tasks.

What happens when teens have a clear understanding of the benefit of them finishing what they start?

When teenagers have a clear understanding of the benefits of finishing what they start, they may be more likely to follow through on their commitments and see things through to the end. This can have a number of positive effects, both in the short term and in the long term. Some potential benefits of teenagers finishing what they start include:

1. Improved self-esteem and confidence. Completing a task or project that they have started can give teenagers a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievements, which can boost their self-esteem and confidence.
2. Better grades and academic performance. By following through on their commitments and completing their assignments and projects, teenagers may be more likely to achieve better grades and overall academic performance.
3. Stronger relationships with others. Finishing what they start can help teenagers to develop a reputation for reliability and dependability, which can be beneficial in their personal relationships with friends and family, as well as in their future professional relationships.
4. Development of important skills and habits. Completing tasks and projects can help teenagers to develop important skills and habits, such as time management, goal-setting, and problem-solving, which can be beneficial in both their personal and professional lives.

Arrive on time.

How do you explain the value of arriving on time to a teen?

To explain the value of arriving on time to a teen, you could:

Emphasize the importance of being dependable and trustworthy. Arriving on time is an important part of being reliable, and is a key way to demonstrate to others that you are dependable and can be counted on to fulfill your commitments and responsibilities.

1. Point out the benefits of being punctual. Being punctual has many benefits, including building trust and credibility with others, avoiding conflicts or misunderstandings, and avoiding the stress and frustration that can come from being late.
2. Discuss the consequences of being late. Being late can have negative consequences, such as causing inconvenience or frustration for others, damaging relationships, and potentially jeopardizing opportunities or responsibilities.
3. Share examples of how being punctual has helped you. Share examples from your own life of how being punctual has helped you to build trust and credibility with others, avoid conflicts or misunderstandings, and achieve your goals.
4. Encourage your teen to set goals and develop a routine. Help your teen to set goals for being punctual, and encourage them to develop a routine that will help them to arrive on time consistently. This can include setting reminders, allowing extra time for unexpected delays, and being prepared in advance for appointments and events.

What happens when teens have a clear understanding of their need to arrive on time?

When teens have a clear understanding of their need to arrive on time, they are likely to develop better habits and behaviors around punctuality. This can include setting goals for being punctual, developing a routine to help them arrive on time consistently, and seeking support and guidance from others as needed. As a result, teens with a clear understanding of their need to arrive on time are more likely to be punctual and reliable in their commitments and responsibilities. This can help them to build trust and credibility with others, avoid conflicts and misunderstandings, and achieve their goals.

Say please, thank you, and you’re welcome.

How do you explain to a teen the importance of always saying please, thank you, and you’re welcome?

Here are a few reasons why it’s important for teenagers to always say please, thank you, and you’re welcome:

1. It shows respect and consideration for others. Using these polite phrases is a way of showing respect and consideration for others in your interactions with them. It shows that you are aware of their feelings and needs and that you are considerate of the impact of your words and actions on them.
2. It helps to foster positive relationships. Saying please, thank you, and you’re welcome can also help to foster positive relationships with others. It shows that you value their contributions and efforts and that you are grateful for their kindness and support. This can help to build trust and goodwill and can make others more willing to help and support you in the future.
3. It sets a good example for others. Finally, always saying please, thank you, and you’re welcome sets a good example for others. It shows that you are respectful and considerate and that you value the importance of good manners. This can inspire others to follow your example and can help to create a more positive and respectful environment.

Overall, there are many reasons why it’s important for teenagers to always say please, thank you, and you’re welcome. By understanding the value of these phrases, teenagers can learn to use them consistently in their interactions with others and can benefit from the positive effects that they can have on their relationships and interactions.

Be willing to apologize. 

How do you explain the importance of apologizing when they are wrong to a teen?

Explaining the importance of apologizing when they are wrong to a teenager can help them develop essential qualities like humility, empathy, and personal growth. Here’s how you can approach the topic:

1. Acknowledge mistakes: Start by emphasizing that everyone makes mistakes, including yourself. Normalize the idea that being wrong is a natural part of life and doesn’t define a person’s worth.
2. Empathy and perspective-taking: Help the teenager understand the impact their actions or words can have on others. Encourage them to consider how they would feel if someone treated them the same way. This perspective-taking exercise can help foster empathy and understanding.
3. Respect and accountability: Explain that apologizing demonstrates respect for others’ feelings and acknowledges the responsibility for their actions. By apologizing, they take ownership of their mistakes and show that they value the relationship with the person they’ve wronged.
4. Learning opportunity: Emphasize that apologizing provides a chance for personal growth and learning. When we apologize, we reflect on our behavior, identify areas for improvement, and strive to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Apologizing is a sign of maturity and shows a willingness to learn from one’s experiences.
5. Rebuilding trust: Discuss how apologizing can help rebuild trust and repair damaged relationships. When we take responsibility for our actions and sincerely apologize, it shows that we are committed to making amends and working towards a better future.
6. Leading by example: Highlight that apologizing sets a positive example for others. By demonstrating the willingness to admit when they are wrong and apologize, they inspire those around them to do the same. Apologizing can create a culture of open communication, understanding, and forgiveness.
7. Emotional well-being: Explain that apologizing can bring a sense of relief and emotional well-being. Holding onto guilt or unresolved conflicts can weigh heavily on a person’s mind and negatively impact their mental and emotional state. By apologizing, they can experience a sense of closure and peace.

Remember, leading by example is crucial. If you make a mistake and need to apologize to your teenager, do so sincerely. Apologizing when you’re wrong yourself can reinforce the importance of this behavior and create a supportive environment for growth and learning.

What is the value of your teen knowing that they always apologize when they are wrong?

There are many values of your teenager understanding that they should always apologize when they are wrong. Some of the potential values of this knowledge include:

1. Improved relationships and stronger bonds with others. By apologizing consistently and effectively, your teenager can improve their relationships and can build stronger bonds with others. This can help to create more positive and respectful family interactions and can help to enhance your teenager’s overall well-being and happiness.
2. Increased trust and respect from others. Another potential value of your teenager knowing that they always apologize when they are wrong is that they are more likely to earn trust and respect from others. By consistently apologizing and taking responsibility for their actions, your teenager can demonstrate their trustworthiness and respectfulness and can earn the trust and respect of others in their relationships and interactions.
3. Enhanced conflict-resolution skills and problem-solving abilities. A third value of your teenager knowing that they always apologize when they are wrong is that it can enhance their conflict resolution skills and problem-solving abilities. By apologizing consistently and effectively, your teenager can learn to resolve conflicts and address problems in a positive and respectful way. 

Conclusion:

Over the last 20 years, I have been sharing these “Six High Potential Essentials”.  I encourage you to help your teen learn these skills as early as possible, as it will greatly impact their future success. They are as follows:

1. Determine and live by your personal core value.
2. Do what you say you will do.
3. Finish what you start.
4. Arrive on time.
5. Say please, thank you, and you are welcome.
6. Be willing to apologize when you are wrong.

The time you spend instilling these key skills into your teen’s life will pay huge dividends.