07 Feb Top 10 Confidence Building Rules From a First Grader (Applied to Running a Startup Venture)

This is a blog post from six years ago that I wrote in the context of running an incubator. Now, looking back the same rules really apply to a startup venture. My daughter is now a tween, but these little nuggets are relevant and sage.

Relevant wisdom comes from many sources: parents, mentors, teachers, as well as personal experiences, inspirational leaders and industry shakers. In the vein of “All you need to know you learned in Kindergarten,” and in the spirit of celebrating family, I looked at some of the foundational rules that guided my six year old’s microcosm (all true life stories addressed in 2011). It says a lot about how we strive to nurture the development of responsible human beings, guide them to have esteem and confidence – and how we can easily be reminded about a simpler world defined by universal truths for fulfillment and prosperity.

10. Don’t let other kids steal your granola bars. Keep an eye out for overly opportunistic partners as well as competitive vultures. Better yet, share special treats at lunchtime with friends and special collaborators and it will come back to benefit you in the long-term.

9. Be friends with the smart kids. It’s self-explanatory, but by making new friends with diverse cerebrals and passionate people in their respective fields, one can propel growth in many areas. Not to mention win all the dodge ball games, due to creative strategy while having an unimaginable blast.

8. Don’t chase boys on the playground. Pointless roaming is good exercise in this era of childhood obesity, but when it counts, it is ideal to have specific targets. Find some focus areas to own, define selection criteria, make swift decisions, and take deliberate steps to find the associates who have the best ideas and excel.

7. Always double knot your shoelaces. Brace yourself for the unexpected, always do your homework and be prepared. And if you don’t know how to tie laces yet, you can have someone help you before school (without showing your weaknesses on the blacktop).

6. Come to school ready to learn and share what you know. Every situation can be a laboratory of learnings. Raise your hand as much as you can to participate wholly. Take risks in this semi-protected environment. Freely share your gifts with others.

5. Read a book every day (and sing, dance, hula hoop, duel light sabers, do play doh and shrinky dinks). Make discoveries with any and each opportunity, be curious, be tenacious about experiencing new things, whether ingenious or silly.

4. Don’t tattle or brag… just be true.If one just tries to be the best that they can and high integrity, people will intrinsically know. Say sorry and acknowledge mistakes. People are drawn to character and the truth is easy to recognize.

3. No cry babies. Throwing a tantrum only makes it worse and crying about it is useless. Although it takes maturity and fortitude, it’s best to listen first and empathize with others, find common ground, and go with the flow to find productive resolutions. This goes for co-founders, partners, prospects, the board, advisors, bosses, underlings.

2. You get what you get, and don’t get upset. One of the most important lessons in early life is realizing that life is imperfect. Getting everything you want doesn’t channel happiness. Things won’t go as planned. You’re not good at everything and you will lose sometimes. It is enlightening to realize that the most fun and rewarding times are finding ways to face challenges down.

1. Have mercy on and love your parents.You don’t realize that the toughest role is where the weight of the responsibility lies. Be grateful. Have confidence to be successful, and make your parents and investors, stakeholders and customers, family and yourself proud.