Pre-Talk What is the best way to learn? Are children spoiled today? What is your impression of millennials? Picture Talk What is happening in this picture? Which do you agree with and why? Do you think there will be a shift again? Article Highlights Sourced from Probably the most famous childhood story about Richard Branson is the time that his school headmaster predicted he'd either go to jail or become a millionaire. At age 66, Branson is worth $5 billion. He's been married to the same woman for 28 years, and is the father of two children and grandparent to three more. And, he spends a lot of time reflecting on how his childhood shaped him, and trying to advice parents on how to raise the next generation. His top advice? Parents should let their kids try things--and fail--over and over and over. "Too often adults keep kids safe, 'protecting' them from the hurt that's associated with failure. This is a big mistake," he wrote recently. "The more children are told they can't do something, the more they will lose their curiosity and determination. I am grateful to have had encouraging parents, who instead of blockading and trouncing my curiosity, allowed me to figure things out on my own accord." (Fun fact from that article: Apparently Branson's mother calls him "Ricky.") Recently, Inc.com asked author Simon Sinek for his take on raising kids, and he cited Branson's example for teaching kids be problem-solvers. Sinek said he also advocates for teaching kids independence and resilience; the best teachers I've found on these two points are former Stanford dean of freshmen Julie Lythcott-Haims, and former Navy SEAL commander Eric Greitens. All three of these really have to do with that single lesson that Branson keeps referring to however: raising kids who are brave enough to try new things, and if they fall short, to get back up and try something else. "Whether it is launching companies ... that fell flat on their face, making the wrong call on investments, or simply forgetting to return a call or send an email," he wrote recently, "I have
Pre-Talk What is the best way to learn? Are children spoiled today? What is your impression of millennials? Picture Talk What is happening in this picture? Which do you agree with and why? Do you think there will be a shift again? Article Highlights Sourced from Probably the most famous childhood story about Richard Branson is the time that his school headmaster predicted he'd either go to jail or become a millionaire. At age 66, Branson is worth $5 billion. He's been married to the same woman for 28 years, and is the father of two children and grandparent to three more. And, he spends a lot of time reflecting on how his childhood shaped him, and trying to advice parents on how to raise the next generation. His top advice? Parents should let their kids try things--and fail--over and over and over. "Too often adults keep kids safe, 'protecting' them from the hurt that's associated with failure. This is a big mistake," he wrote recently. "The more children are told they can't do something, the more they will lose their curiosity and determination. I am grateful to have had encouraging parents, who instead of blockading and trouncing my curiosity, allowed me to figure things out on my own accord." (Fun fact from that article: Apparently Branson's mother calls him "Ricky.") Recently, Inc.com asked author Simon Sinek for his take on raising kids, and he cited Branson's example for teaching kids be problem-solvers. Sinek said he also advocates for teaching kids independence and resilience; the best teachers I've found on these two points are former Stanford dean of freshmen Julie Lythcott-Haims, and former Navy SEAL commander Eric Greitens. All three of these really have to do with that single lesson that Branson keeps referring to however: raising kids who are brave enough to try new things, and if they fall short, to get back up and try something else. "Whether it is launching companies ... that fell flat on their face, making the wrong call on investments, or simply forgetting to return a call or send an email," he wrote recently, "I have
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