How does this factor into your thoughts about pursuing a new professional adventure?

You dream of starting your own business, but how do you envision managing work-life balance in this new system?

Sometimes, the root of the problem seems obvious, and we stop there because it feels comfortable.

A simple explanation is enough.

We don’t feel the need to dig deeper.

That’s sufficient to fuel us.

But when we haven’t truly analyzed what fuel needs the engine (the problem), how can we know if we need premium or diesel (the solution)?

The problem you’ve identified is rarely the only one, the real one, or even the most important one.

Embarking on a journey of change without understanding this, is skipping the most critical step: self-reflection.

And for that, you need a coach or a therapist, not a career assessment.

Her invention serves as the foundation for modern telecommunications, such as Wi-Fi.

Because yes, behind this revolutionary invention is... a glamorous actress from the 1940s.

In the 1930s and 40s, society had a very clear idea of what women’s destinies should look like: be beautiful, be muses, and perhaps, stay silent. But Hedy had other ambitions.
An Austrian actress at the height of Hollywood fame for a time, she could have been content with her successful roles and starlet status.

But she had a talent that was far less marketable and "recognizable" at the time: a brilliant scientific mind.

With her co-inventor George Antheil, Hedy developed a frequency-hopping communication system designed to prevent interference and secure military transmissions. It was revolutionary. But what did the U.S. military say about this invention from a woman (and an actress, no less)?

According to some sources, Hedy Lamarr was told she could contribute more effectively to the war effort by using her image... which she did, and successfully. This perfectly illustrates how her role as a glamorous actress was prioritized over her role as a scientist.

And yet, if the 20th century has taught us anything, it is that women have often managed to rise above such stereotypes. From Marie Curie to Katherine Johnson, from Rosalind Franklin to Hedy Lamarr, women in science have had to juggle prejudice, invisibility, and a fair share of dismissiveness.

Thanks to them, and so many others, today the idea that a woman can become an engineer, researcher, or astronaut is (finally) normalized.

Let’s continue working toward non-gendered career guidance.

But this shouldn’t just mean promoting science to balance the scales.

I’m not in favor of messages like, “Today, encouraging girls into STEM careers is a duty.”

The real duty is to avoid creating "ideal careers." It is to inspire young people by showcasing the accomplishments of figures like Hedy Lamarr and introducing them to science, alongside other subjects, in an open and accessible way.

So that ambitions and choices arise from flexible, barrier-free thinking.

And most of all, this starts at home.

The next technological revolution might come from a young woman with a vivid imagination. And this time, she won’t need glitter to shine.

Thank you, Hedy, for the lesson.

To promote talent, vision, and ideas, gendered career guidance has no place.

Here are some key elements to better guide them in their reflection.

This is a question I’ve been asked often. Essentially, the principle remains the same: making a choice.

It’s a misconception that career guidance for a gifted teen is inherently more challenging because of their broad, shifting interests and their tendency to get bored quickly.

In my experience, they need a guide who goes beyond simply understanding their unique way of thinking—someone who shares that perspective and way of processing the world. This mutual understanding builds trust, as gifted teens are constantly evaluating others: their thoughts, their relevance, the connections they make. Everything is scrutinized. They’ll quickly notice if you’re not up to par.

This aspect of guiding gifted teens deserves its own discussion, but let’s focus on the core process for now.

Ultimately, career guidance for a gifted teen is still about making a choice, just like for any other teenager. The real difference lies in the posture the guide must adopt.

The Key Posture: Relevance

Relevance is everything. A guide who doesn’t respond quickly, who isn’t grounded in the truth and authenticity of the interaction, will fail to build trust. A gifted teen evaluates their interlocutor on many levels, asking one key question: “Is this person worth listening to?”

The primary practical difference in the guidance process is that there are often more factors to consider when working with gifted teens.

Areas to Explore

Gifted teens often have a rapid perception of possibilities, which can lead them to believe—or act as if—they’ve “figured out” a subject without truly diving into it.

They may quickly lose interest if a task feels too easy or repetitive, creating the false impression of disengagement.

It’s essential to frame their “I’ve figured it out, I get it” tendency, which is sometimes premature. Without relevance and deeper reflection, this can become a real challenge.

That said, this isn’t exclusive to gifted teens.

However, the difference is that a gifted teen is often much more confident about the depth of their reflection or research, even if it remains superficial. Guiding them to explore further is crucial.

The key is to present other perspectives and let them take the lead.

In a way, it’s simpler than it seems.

The focus should be on guiding their tendency to draw conclusions too quickly. Gifted teens often rely on intuitive thinking to find solutions rapidly, but this can lead them to dismiss options prematurely, especially when they haven’t fully explored them.

Practical Questions to Encourage Exploration

• “What skills have you not yet considered?”
• “Have you explored the variations of this career?”
• “What is something you haven’t yet fully understood about this field?”

Gifted teens typically require less hand-holding when it comes to digging deeper—provided they’re invested in the problem.

Fostering Investment

Getting them invested in the question of career guidance will likely be one of the first hurdles, but even this isn’t entirely unique to gifted teens.

Ultimately, career guidance for a gifted or atypical teen isn’t about inventing a different process but about adapting the approach with relevance and depth. With the right tools and mindset, the journey can be just as rewarding for both the teen and their guide.

This applies to everyone, but for high school and college students (who are still developing), especially during exam periods or in social contexts, it can have significant consequences.

Darwin would be rolling in his grave! He taught us that it’s precisely the ability to adapt to stress that drives the evolution of species.

In fact, by trying too hard to avoid stress, we end up layering one emotion over another (yes, really) and demonizing something that is completely natural.

More importantly, when we’re less exposed to it or actively fear it, our reaction becomes amplified when we inevitably face it. This makes perfect sense and explains the rise of exam stress or social anxiety, which have skyrocketed in recent years.

It’s a bit like people who need to go on a diet but want to avoid ever feeling hungry.

Stress is a natural response to the environment.

The real question is: at what point does it cross the line into being a real (not perceived) problem, or even pathological? Particularly in connection with work, which tends to trigger and multiply these reactions.

But how can we tackle this issue without discussing the different types of stress, their sources, and the scales used to measure them?

To start, here are two tools for evaluating stress:

• The Karasek Job Stress Questionnaire
• The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Aren’t these the very entry points to social phobias and chronic stress in the end?

So, the next time someone sells you "zero stress," be cautious... Well, unless it’s about yoga, of course.

Otherwise, it might just be a recipe to turn a society of warriors into a flock of sheep on Prozac, while selling you some wilted salad! 🐑💊

Because yes, the "zero stress" idea is a marketing gimmick too.

P.S.: This is a message from the CDSU, the Committee for the Defense of Useful Stress 😉
P.S.2: I’m working on a more in-depth article about the different types of stress…

If you don't accept someone else's feelings, watch out! You’re a bad person (yes, this applies to women too).

It's a term thrown at you as an argument, one that you are expected to accept in the name of kindness and empathy.

Everything is about "feelings," and that's the problem.

The invocation of "feelings" has become a mechanism in discussions to shut them down without the need to explain. A subtle form of manipulation.

In reality, it’s just: “Here’s my perception.” And you’re not allowed to discuss it.

Really?

It also assumes that your reality is the reality. Ouch.

But what if this perception has no connection to reality? What then?

So, don’t let yourself be led astray by your interlocutor’s "feelings"—dare to question them.

The key is to question them empathetically, so you’re not seen as the bad guy.

Also, dare to draw a parallel between your own feelings and the actual facts.

More often than not, it’s just an unfortunate mix of both.

Here are some questions, in an order that could lead to constructive dialogue:

• "Why do you believe feelings should not be discussed?"
• "Do you ever find it hard to understand my feelings?"
• "Could you imagine that this might also happen to me?"
• "What is making you feel this way?"
• "What objective elements can we verify together?"
• "What are the facts, separate from any interpretation, that your feelings are based on?"
• "Do you think these facts could have created different feelings for someone else?"

Because honestly, we’re tired of being misled with nonsense, disguised under the pretense of virtuous thinking and false benevolence.

These students have a passion that makes their professional goal obvious and assumed, and this question isn’t an issue—except...

Often, they come to me first for problems related to organization or motivation.

The most recent example: he was passionate about robotics. Fine.

He found it interesting. Great.
The parents thought: a promising, stimulating, and lucrative career.

Everyone was happy.

But by quickly questioning his choice and digging into his lack of motivation, it became clear that there was no scaffolding behind it, no deep reflection to support this choice.

And this situation is sadly consistent among those who turn their passion into a career.

The issue is that both the teenager and the parents focus on a projection tied to the passion or a major interest, with preconceived notions.

For the parent, knowing their child has abilities, a passion, and a goal means everything is going well.

The mistake is here.
It works "for now." And given his lack of motivation, something needs to be addressed.

A solution:
Guide them to question their envisioned profession. Identify an element and suggest careers they hadn’t considered.

For example: "What exactly do you like about robotics?"

Answer: "New technologies."

Opening: "In aerospace as well, new technologies are being developed. What do you think about that?"

And then, you end with: "You should think about it, and we’ll talk about it again..."

And of course, a few days later, you bring it up again.