Business guru uses her skills to put teenagers on right path

"The issues I was coming across with people in their mid-40s in the workplace could often be traced back to a lack of guidance earlier in life and I realised these were simply teenagers who had lost their way, ending up in jobs they didn't enjoy," says Angela, an executive coach based in Harrogate and Ripon.

"Children are being encouraged to pursue subjects they're good at rather than thinking about what they enjoy and schools are missing out on a fantastic opportunity to get teenagers connected on the right path."

Angela experienced the difficulties facing high school students first-hand through her own four teenagers and their friends, many of whom seemed demotivated and lacking in direction.

"It worried me that so many young people were losing interest in school at a crucial stage in their education and had no idea where they were going or what they were capable of," says Angela.

She believes when a child reaches 13, their parents need to adapt their role of a coach rather than teacher.

"Nobody seems to be sitting young people down and looking deeper into what connects them to their future and how they're going to get there, it simply isn't being brought to life in the school curriculum, so there's a real danger that they too are going to turn into 40-somethings who hate their jobs."

Once she starts working with a teenager the change can be dramatic.

One 17-year-old girl who came to her because she couldn't decide which course to take at university, completely changed direction after three one-hour sessions and is now enthusiastic about the future and consistently achieving A-grades after years of under-performing.

"Kids often go along with their parents' or school's expectations and are missing out on an opportunity to do the very best they can for themselves and it's heartbreaking," she says.

Angela runs many of her free parenting workshops in conjunction with local nutritionist Morna Murphy.

"One of the most crucial elements in coaching teenagers is making sure they are connected with their future because if not they have no desire to revise, may drop out of education, make the wrong friendship choices and in severe cases go right off the rails."

As well as working one-to-one with teenagers, Angela runs workshops for parents and teenagers covering everything from goal setting to preparing for exams.

"Exam stress is a huge concern for teenagers and their parents so I run a number of these events free to show them how to cope with the pressure and diffuse tension at home."

Angela is working hard to help today's teenagers build healthy futures.

"What I'd like to see now is greater cooperation from schools and a realisation that success is rooted far deeper than grade achievement.

"We need to proactively involve the parents, after all parents are the leaders of the next generation of innovators."

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

Angela Whitlock believes there are three secrets to a successful outcome for teenagers to achieve their full potential – communication, condition and connection.

"Good communication with parents and teachers is essential and I spend a lot of time in schools and running parenting workshops to demonstrate to adults how to adapt their communications to get the best out of young people," she says.

Angela's next free workshop for parents will be held at Harrogate College on January 12. For more information or to book a place visit www.angelawhitlock.com.