Self-Talk and Self-Leadership: Advancing a New Application of Goleman’s Leadership Model for Counseling College Students

The self-talk habits of college students can be important factors in determining their success in academia and beyond. The years between childhood and adolescence, known as emerging adulthood, present particular developmental significance. Emerging adults experience heightened psychological and social stressors. They are also more likely to engage in negative self-talk, which puts them at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Current data indicates a surge in mental health issues among college students (Healthy Minds Network, 2022). Therefore, it is imperative that educators and counselors consider self-talk behaviors as they guide and advise students. This paper considers Goleman's (2000) widely accepted organizational leadership model as a possible application for coaching and counseling emerging adult students who experience negative self-talk. To date, the Goleman framework has been used in organizational contexts to improve workplace management and communication and interpersonal relationships. This paper suggests a novel application for the Goleman model.