Youth Development Keynotes
So you are looking for that perfect keynote for a child or youth development conference. Like others, you want a keynote speaker who inspires and informs, reaches both head and heart to create a sustainable energy that changes lives. Big expectations deserve big results.
"Chris has a message for the ages. If every teacher was able to use these skills in their classrooms, we would have more youth who know who they are as people."
~ Keandra Thompson, Parent/Community/School Liaison, Bremerton, WA
"Chris was real and passionate about working in this field. It was great to be energized by someone who truly gets what we as service providers do in our work."
- Karla Reyes, Addictions Counselor, Alberta Alchol and Drug Abuse Commission, Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada
Keynotes can range from 45 minutes (with an inspirational focus) to two hours (with a teaching focus). Here is the reality of keynote titles. They are just titles. The core content, philosophy (and speaker) are the same. If these aren't the perfect match, we'll create a title that appeals directly to your audience.
Want a break-out session too? Audiences love the "Yea, but… session format.
For other keynotes, visit here.
Chris' signature keynotes for youth development professionals...
Be Transformative! Tapping the power of strengths to foster resiliency and success
Every young person - especially the one who is making you crazy or tugging at your heart - is walking around right now with the strengths they need to be resilient and successful. Can you see them? In this dynamic and engaging keynote presentation, Chris weaves stories, research and audience participation to teach that the key to being transformative lies not in fixing weaknesses, but in growing these strengths. But understanding is not enough. In vivid and practical terms, Chris shares how to identify these strengths, even through the clutter of chaotic and challenging behavior and circumstances. But seeing is not enough. The next step is to communicate these strengths—specifically, authentically and effectively—so the young person can begin to use them as powerful tools for life. In addition to these new insights and skills, audience members will never again see themselves or others in quite the same way. Now that's transformative!
An example of a twist on this theme...
Be Transformative! Seeing Strengths in the Chaos of Deficits
Every young person - especially the one who is making you crazy or tugging at your heart - is walking around right now with the strengths they need to be resilient and successful. Remarkable research - in fields ranging from business and athletics to education and medicine - is all leading to the same conclusion: the key to success lies not in fixing weaknesses, but in growing strengths. Yet, too often we are distracted by behaviors that are disruptive, self-destructive and just plain annoying. In this dynamic and interactive session, Chris Trout challenges the audience to see beyond the distraction of deficits to the strengths young people have already used to overcome adversity. In addition to gaining new insights and skills to help young people see themselves as strong, capable and resource rich, audience members will never again see themselves or others in quite the same way. Now that's transformative!
Life Happens! Parenting Resilient Teens
No matter how strong we are - emotionally, spiritually or financially - just the process of becoming a young adult is full of unexpected challenges. What can we do to equip our kids so they can bounce back from adversity—and even be strengthened by it? This fun, inspiring and practical keynote for parents explores what helps both kids and parents thrive—even when the road gets rocky.
- The capacity to “see” what is going right and how to build on it.
- How to set limits without setting off fireworks!
- The balance between safety and independence
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Breakout session...
Yes, but...
This follow-up to Chris’ keynote presentation is your opportunity to ask the hard questions that come with every change in perspective. "What do you do when...?" "What about people who...?" "I've tried that, but...!" Chris will respond with examples, stories and exercises to get down to the brass tacks of living from a strengths perspective. Chris will also share strategies to sustain this perspective even in the face of little support, challenging circumstances and too little time. This session is when the “aha’s” become concrete, “ah, yes, I see what to do now!“