400: The Doggy Doo-Doo Debacle | Feedback Friday

Values & Ambition

The discussion on values and ambition highlights the importance of balancing personal success with ethical behavior. Jordan Harbinger argues against the notion that one must choose between raising a successful child and a kind one, emphasizing that true success often aligns with kindness and generosity 1. Gabriel Mizrahi adds that being self-oriented rather than self-interested allows individuals to pursue goals without compromising their values 2.

Self-oriented people understand that they have to take care of themselves, but sometimes those goals will come into conflict with other people.

--- Gabriel Mizrahi

This perspective encourages raising children who are ambitious yet empathetic, capable of achieving success without stepping on others.

   

Teaching Empathy

Teaching empathy is crucial in raising children who can succeed while being considerate of others. Jordan Harbinger stresses that generosity and kindness are not mutually exclusive with success, and many successful people are also deeply empathetic 3. He suggests instilling values of ambition and empathy from a young age, showing children how these qualities reinforce each other.

You don't need to choose between raising a star and raising a good person. I think you absolutely can and should do both.

--- Jordan Harbinger

Gabriel Mizrahi reflects on the temptation to raise a child to be a "shark," but ultimately advocates for teaching ethical behavior alongside ambition 4.