From Helping to Empowering: Shifting from Pressure to Presence
written by Rentia Landman
As parents, we all want the best for our children. When it comes to their career decisions, it’s natural to want to protect them from mistakes, smooth the path, and sometimes even take the reins. Yet one of the most powerful shifts we can make is learning to move from pressure to presence.
In our recent Parent Empowerment session, we explored this very shift. The temptation to jump in with answers is strong, but often what our children need most is not a solution, but a safe space. A place where they can think out loud, ask their questions, share their fears, and know they are heard without judgment.
Supporting in this way doesn’t mean stepping back or disengaging. It means showing up differently. Instead of offering strategies and ready-made plans, we offer our presence: listening, curiosity, and encouragement. We ask questions like:
“What feels tricky about this decision for you?”
“Would you like me to just listen today, or would brainstorming together be helpful?”
These kinds of questions invite ownership and build confidence. They signal to our children that we believe they are capable of finding their own answers, and they plant the seed of self-trust that will grow stronger over time.
This mindset shift, from directing to walking alongside, is at the heart of empowering our children. It transforms career conversations from pressure points into opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to watch the full recording of our first Parent Empowerment Session: From Helping to Empowering – A Parent’s Role in Their Child’s Career Journey. It’s filled with insights, stories, and practical advice from three of our Career Thinking partners – myself Rentia Landman, Pippa Rauch, and Jo Cloete.
Link to full recording: https://youtu.be/8SNCkWfmCs4?si=r3SsOLMD6Wcs0cp3
