I had the opportunity today to be part of a grant proposal planning session about how to utilize a strengths approach to help low-income middle-schoolers get ready for college. We talked about family expectations and how important those were to students' consideration of whether or not they were "college material." I think understanding students' strengths can help families be more supportive of the student's decisions about college and (later on) career.

When you start seeing the people you care about in light of their strengths, you see them through a different lens. You realize that they already have inside them the key ingredients that can be tapped for success. You see that they have at least 5 pathways (as Shane Lopez points out) to reach their goals, which gives them hope for the future. You recognize some new ways that you can come alongside in the process and be more supportive of them.

Parents may also realize that areas where they "bump up against" their son or daughter are the very themes of talent that their children can capitalize on for success. That "command" theme that drives parents nuts because it challenges them is the very talent that can be honed into a powerful voice for the marginalized--it's a voice that can potentially change the world. That "strategic" talent that negotiates every parent-child transaction, starting with "can't I take my bath tomorrow?" when they were 3 and by age 17 becomes "if you'll let me borrow the car tonight, I promise I'll do the dishes tomorrow!" is the same talent that can negotiate business mergers or new political agreements--when honed with skill and knowledge.

Particularly for parents who have never been to college themselves, seeing that their children have not only the opportunity but the means for success can provide parents with the confidence to let their kids try on this new role. It can make all the difference to both the student and the parents.