5 Key Strategies for Forming a Developmental Relationship With Your Intern

What does it take to develop an impactful relationship with a high school student? How can you provide work direction and also provide coaching for professional growth? And how do you do all this without a crystal ball?

The Search Institute, an international research group focused on the success of kids, created a research-validated framework that explains how adults can positively impact kids’ lives. The chart below features ways you can create a Developmental Relationship with your intern.

The Developmental Relationships Framework

Express CARE

Show that you like me and want the best for me.

Be Present – Pay attention when you are with me.
Be Warm – Let me know that you like being with me and express positive feelings toward me.
Invest – Commit time and energy to doing things for and with me.
Show Interest – Make it a priority to understand who I am and what I care about.
Be Dependable – Be someone I can count on and trust.

Challenge GROWTH

Show that you like me and want the best for me.

Inspire – Help me see future possibilities for myself.
Expect – Make it clear that you want me to live up to my potential.
Stretch – Recognize my thoughts and abilities while also pushing me to strengthen them.
Limit – Hold me accountable for appropriate boundaries and rules.

Provide SUPPORT

Help me complete tasks and achieve goals.

Encourage – Praise my effort and achievements.
Guide – Provide practical assistance and feedback to help me learn.
Model – Be an example I can learn from and admire.
Advocate – Stand up for me when I need it.

Share POWER

Hear my voice and let me share in making decisions

Respect – Take me seriously and treat me fairly.
Give Voice – Ask for and listen to my opinions and consider them when you make decisions.
Respond – Understand and adjust to me needs, interests, and abilities.
Collaborate – Work with me to accomplish goals and solve problems.

Expand POSSIBILITIES

Expand my horizons and connect me to opportunities

Explore – Expose me to new ideas, experiences, and places.
Connect – Introduce me to people who can help me grow.
Navigate – Help me work through barriers that could stop me from achieving my goals.