How to Benefit from Your Collaboration with Youth Partners (Part 2)

Create the conditions that lead to the insights you need

Our second post in this series shares simple ways to learn from young people and apply their insights to your project goals.

Teens, like the rest of us, are more likely to speak openly when they know you value their input. Share examples of how their perspectives may improve what you’re working on or shape future decisions. You might also highlight specifically how you’ll use disagreement and negative feedback. This will help overcome any hesitancy to give an honest opinion.

Here are a few more tips to set the stage for candor:

• Listen without redirecting. Don’t defend your idea.
• Validate and affirm what they shared. Ask follow up questions to understand more deeply.
  

FURTHER READING: Check out Chapter 6 of the The Youth Voice Playbook: The Roles for Adult Facilitators video shows how adults can support the conversation without controlling it.