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Why You, Inc. is the Best Gift of All

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A friend recently asked me, “What if your daughter doesn’t want to be a leader when she grows up?”

It’s a question I have heard before. It’s the, “Should we even be focusing on female leadership if most women eventually end up choosing to lean out?” question.

So what do I think? I think the premise of this question is entirely wrong.  I don’t believe becoming a leader only occurs when you get ‘that’ position or they crown you with ‘that’ title.  

In fact, given how different the economy is from when I grew up, I don’t think my daughter has any choice but to be a leader.

How To Easily Build Your Self-Confidence

High self-esteem is internal. When we have it, we feel less dependent on the approval of others. We even get more comfortable with disapproval. Despite what you may think, self-confidence doesn’t take a lifetime to build. It can be harnessed and tapped with this simple 15 min exercise. Kids can do it too!

Pretending to Be a Superhero Can Make You One

When you lack confidence, it’s hard to be authentic because you are constantly second guessing yourself. Therefore, when you lack confidence, you lack presence. This is a problem because people want to be around those who exude authenticity. Luckily for my daughter, doing something for just two minutes a day, started to trick her mind AND her body. Well…up to a point…

Part 3: How to Get Schooled on Leader vs. Leadership

The final problem we need to solve in this workshop is the kids’ fear of taking on leadership roles. Why do we feel fearful when we we think of leadership?  "Because, when you ask someone what the word “leadership” evokes - what images, words, symbols, feelings or people spring to mind?  Responses are usually things like “vision,” “inspiring,” “greatness,” “Winston Churchill,” “Superman” and “awesome.”  The underlying idea is clear: leadership is a major, even heroic challenge, needing exceptional qualities.  But do most of us believe we have these qualities?  I suspect not." - John Scouller

Part 2: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? Lessons in Leadership Style

If you want kids to be leaders, you need to teach them there are many different styles of leadership. This way, they can envision themselves in the role.  Once they recognize their leadership style is acceptable, they'll see there is a place at the leadership table for everyone.

How Parents Can Help Their Daughters Avoid the Financial Gender Gap

Teaching girls solid financial management skills can help her avoid the statistics - women earn less, save less, retire less, and are less comfortable with managing money.

An Easy Way Women Can Out-Negotiate the Men

When women advocate for others, we stay within our societal roles.  We are not seen as aggressive and when we champion others, the behavior is expected, applauded and rewarded - a lot.  When we tap into this magic elixir we win (for us and others) every time.  Is this a double standard?  Yes.  Does it work? Absolutely.

4 Steps to Mastering the Fear Your Child Will Fail

I know I’m not alone in finding this concept of letting our children fail downright terrifying.  Here’s the modern-day myth: If they fail, then people will talk about them…and us…in whispers behind our backs.  Our children will never get into college, live in our basements and everyone will see what impostors we are as parents.  So for fun, let's treat this like a phobia.

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Sending your kids to sleep-away camp can give them a competitive advantage - in life

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This article first appeared in the Washington Post. Whether it's the YMCA, Scouts, a religious, or a more specialized camp, allowing our children to unwind and unplug can have huge benefits.  Even if you can't put it on a college application