1장
The Entrepreneurial Edge: Preparing Children for an Uncertain Future
In a world where traditional career paths are vanishing and the future job market remains unpredictable, what skills will truly prepare our children for success? This question haunted Richard Rende, a developmental psychologist, and Jen Lask, a successful entrepreneur, leading them to collaborate on "Raising Can-Do Kids." The book has gained significant attention from parents and educators alike, with The Wall Street Journal calling it "revolutionary" for its evidence-based approach to childhood development. Even celebrities like Mark Cuban have endorsed its principles, noting that the entrepreneurial mindset it promotes aligns with what he looks for when investing in startups on Shark Tank. What makes this book particularly powerful is how it bridges the gap between cutting-edge developmental research and real-world success, offering a roadmap for raising children who can thrive amid uncertainty rather than merely survive it.
2장
The Seven Skills That Build Entrepreneurial Children
The foundation of raising "can-do" kids rests on seven core skills that span cognitive, personal, and social domains. Through extensive research and interviews with successful entrepreneurs, Rende and Lask identified that truly successful people possess two cognitive skills (exploration and innovation), three personal traits (optimism, opportunity-seeking, and industriousness), and two social skills (likeability and serving others).
These aren't just arbitrary qualities-they're deeply rooted in developmental psychology and proven to benefit children regardless of their future career paths. What's fascinating is how these skills align with what employers increasingly identify as "twenty-first-century skills" necessary for workplace success. The World Economic Forum consistently ranks skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among the most valuable competencies for future workers.
The beauty of this framework is its holistic nature. Rather than focusing exclusively on academic achievement or social development, it recognizes that children need a balanced portfolio of capabilities to navigate an unpredictable world. Think about it-what good is academic brilliance without the optimism to persevere through setbacks? Or creative thinking without the industriousness to turn ideas into reality?
Parents often worry about preparing children for specific careers, but this approach acknowledges a profound truth: we can't possibly know what jobs will exist when today's toddlers enter the workforce. Instead, by cultivating these seven fundamental skills, we equip children with the adaptability and resilience to create their own opportunities regardless of economic conditions or technological disruption.
3장
Nurturing Natural Explorers in a Structured World
Children are born explorers, constantly scanning their environment for meaningful information and experiences. Even newborns demonstrate sophisticated exploratory behaviors, turning toward familiar voices and imitating facial expressions. This innate curiosity represents the foundation of cognitive development-babies naturally seek stimuli that are neither too simple nor too complex, but "just right" for their developing brains to process.
Yet modern childhood increasingly restricts this natural exploration. The American Academy of Pediatrics has documented alarming declines in free play time over two decades. Many schools have reduced recess to just twenty minutes daily despite research showing that more play time correlates with better academic performance. Kindergarten classrooms that once emphasized hands-on discovery now focus on academic instruction, contradicting research showing young children learn best through self-directed exploration.
What's driving this shift? Parental anxiety about competition is a major factor. We've created a culture where childhood has become a race to accumulate credentials and achievements, leaving little room for the unstructured exploration that actually builds cognitive flexibility. As tech entrepreneur Dan Harple notes, despite his impressive credentials, his most valuable experiences came from childhood freedom to explore without constant supervision.
The science is clear: this trait psychologists call "openness to experience" strongly predicts success across disciplines. Meta-analysis shows entrepreneurs score significantly higher on this quality than managers. While genetics influence this trait, research suggests only about 50% comes from DNA-meaning parents can actively cultivate exploratory tendencies regardless of a child's natural inclinations.
Parents can nurture exploration from birth by engaging in face-to-face interaction, providing opportunities for physical manipulation of objects, and creating environments that encourage discovery. Even simple activities like supporting a baby in seated positions or placing toys within reach but requiring effort develops both physical and cognitive skills necessary for exploration.
As children grow, maintaining this exploratory spirit becomes increasingly challenging. Creating "exploration zones" at home with open-ended materials allows children to transform everyday items through imagination. Children's museums exemplify ideal learning environments with their hands-on, self-directed activities-principles parents can replicate at home with common household materials.
The real challenge intensifies as academic pressures mount. Despite research showing elementary school homework has virtually no correlation with achievement, and middle school benefits max out at 60-90 minutes nightly, many children face excessive workloads that crowd out exploratory time. Parents must sometimes push back against these pressures, remembering that preserving time for open-ended exploration builds the cognitive foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability.
4장
Cultivating Innovation Beyond Creativity
Innovation-the ability to apply knowledge to solve problems in novel ways-has become the critical skill for career success in our information-saturated world. While we often associate creativity with artistic or scientific genius, innovation is more accessible and permeates everyday experiences. It's not about being the next Einstein but developing the ability to see different solution paths rather than relying on prescribed methods.
Companies increasingly value this quality above mere knowledge acquisition. Dana Conover, director of innovation at Elmer's Products, emphasizes: "You need to think on your own, use every resource at your disposal, and analyze issues from every angle." Even Google has shifted its hiring practices to prioritize "learning ability"-the capacity to process new information and connect disparate concepts-over specific technical skills or academic pedigrees.
Rachel Brooks, who founded e-commerce platform Citizen Made in her mid-twenties, exemplifies innovative thinking. Despite studying business in college, she deliberately took diverse classes beyond her major, later teaching herself programming while working in advertising. This combination of art, business, and digital expertise enabled her to revolutionize how retailers customize products with customers.
Brooks credits her innovative mindset to childhood experiences that nurtured curiosity without pressure to excel in specific areas. Her mother's sewing demonstrated "the power to create something" from idea to execution, while her parents encouraged artistic activities without emphasizing outcomes. This created what Harvard's Tony Wagner calls the triad of "play, passion, purpose," where early play helps children discover passions that eventually lead to purpose.
Parents can foster innovation through three key principles: exposure to diverse fields, discussing what makes things excellent rather than just good, and allowing children to pursue their interests without predetermined outcomes. The goal isn't mastery in specific domains but developing the "make it better" mindset that characterizes innovative thinkers.
Developmental research shows young children naturally demonstrate innovative thinking through "counterfactual reasoning"-the ability to consider alternatives to what has happened and possibilities for the future. Parents can stimulate this thinking by asking open-ended questions that prompt children to think through possibilities derived from observations but extended to scenarios they haven't yet seen.
Two approaches particularly enhance innovative thinking: allowing children to deconstruct and reconstruct objects (literally taking things apart and figuring out how they work), and exposure to arts. Research shows honors graduates in STEM fields are three to ten times more likely to be involved in arts compared to national norms. Einstein's revolutionary insights came from visualizing concepts-riding light beams or falling elevators-demonstrating how artistic thinking enables scientific breakthroughs.
The ultimate goal is helping children develop "associative thinking"-seeing patterns and connections across seemingly unrelated fields. This ability to "connect the dots" distinguishes truly innovative thinkers and prepares children for the emerging trend of "career jugglers" who successfully maintain multiple professional identities.
5장
The Power of Optimism in Child Development
Optimism isn't just a pleasant personality trait-it's a powerful force that shapes children's development and future success. Swedish research shows entrepreneurs have a more positive outlook than the general population, and their perceptions better match economic reality. The power comes not from magical thinking but from believing appropriate effort can improve situations.
John Jacobs, who co-founded the $100 million "Life is good" brand, credits his optimism to his parents. Despite growing up in a chaotic household with six kids and limited means, his mother created a positive emotional climate by focusing on laughter and excitement rather than dwelling on problems. This early exposure to optimism helped the brothers persevere through five difficult years selling T-shirts before their breakthrough success.
While genetics play some role in optimism, environment provides equal or greater influence. Australian research shows genetics account for only 27-47% of optimism in women and just 8-19% in men, with environmental factors playing the strongest role. A landmark 2011 study tracked 267 babies from birth through first grade, revealing that parenting style could transform a baby's disposition regardless of innate temperament. Cranky babies who received warm, supportive parenting developed positive relationships, while easygoing babies exposed to maternal negativity developed contentious relationships.
Optimism develops through a child's ability to handle frustration and persist through challenges. "Hard puzzle" research reveals how differently toddlers respond to difficult tasks-some maintain determined effort despite frustration, while others disengage quickly or become overwhelmed. These responses strongly predict academic readiness and classroom behavior.
Parents play crucial roles during these moments by modeling persistence and helping children develop frustration tolerance. Rather than pretending challenges don't exist or becoming angry themselves, effective parents acknowledge difficulties while encouraging systematic problem-solving approaches, teaching children that staying positive and persistent leads to success.
Optimism's greatest value emerges during adversity. Studies tracking children in economically stressed households found maternal optimism served as a powerful buffer against hardship. Despite identical economic burdens, optimistic mothers maintained positive family interactions, limited hostility, and tended to children's needs effectively. Their children developed strong emotional and social skills, stayed motivated in school, and succeeded academically.
Parents can cultivate optimism through simple daily practices: framing each day with positive thinking by having children identify something they're looking forward to, establishing gratitude routines where family members share what they're thankful for, and challenging the "I'm bored" refrain by encouraging children to generate their own entertainment or productivity. These approaches teach children they have agency to "fill up the glass" themselves rather than waiting for good things to happen-a core component of optimistic thinking.
6장
From Risk-Taking to Opportunity Seeking
Contrary to popular belief, successful entrepreneurs aren't indiscriminate risk-takers. They take calculated risks based on information and their unique abilities. Research by Macko and Tyszka found entrepreneurs weren't more prone to risk-taking in games of pure chance, but took more risks when they had information to guide their choices.
The goal isn't raising children to be reckless thrill-seekers, but rather helping them become opportunity seekers who can evaluate situations, take appropriate chances, and manage potential negative outcomes. This mindset extends beyond physical activities to psychological challenges: a fourth-grader raising her hand despite uncertainty, an eighth-grader auditioning for a play without acting experience, or a high schooler taking a demanding course despite potential grade impact.
Fostering opportunity-seeking begins in early childhood through secure attachment. Children with secure attachment learn to explore new environments with confidence while using caregivers as a "secure base." Research confirms these children adapt better to new situations like kindergarten, showing eagerness to learn. Even genetically inhibited children can overcome anxiety through warm, responsive parenting that acknowledges emotions without overreacting.
The foundation of secure attachment is responsiveness to your child's emotions. When parents comfort distressed babies appropriately, children learn to acknowledge and regulate negative feelings-critical skills for healthy risk-taking. The balance lies between overreacting (which signals fear) and underreacting (which suggests emotions don't matter).
As children grow, the "hands off, eyes on" approach becomes crucial-watching children but not constantly intervening, which prevents them from figuring things out themselves. Sociologists Robinson and Harris found that heavy parental involvement in education often correlates with lower academic performance. Their research suggests parents should "set the stage and then leave it"-supporting without excessive intervention.
Dr. Carol Dweck's research on mindset provides another important framework. Children develop either a "fixed" mindset (believing qualities are unalterable) or a "growth" mindset (believing effort shapes achievement). Praising traits reinforces the fixed mindset, while praising efforts cultivates the growth mindset. The growth mindset propels children to embrace challenges without fear, knowing difficulties aren't reflections of their identity or abilities.
Entrepreneurs don't fear failure because they define it differently-the only real failure is not trying. When ventures don't succeed, they extract valuable learning experiences. Parents should help children recognize small successes that accumulate toward larger achievements. Rather than focusing on shortcomings, celebrate incremental progress, especially in academics-not with trophies but by reinforcing that their work is paying off.
7장
Developing Industriousness in an Age of Entitlement
Social scientists debate whether today's youth are more entitled than previous generations, but entrepreneurs consistently seek applicants who demonstrate diligence and grit-people who are "self-sufficient and responsible for themselves" and true "doers." Golnar Khosrowshahi believes an "entitled" mindset prevents success because mastering fundamentals through entry-level work is essential for developing expertise.
Childhood chores develop self-sufficiency and responsibility. Longitudinal studies show that performing household tasks in early childhood strongly predicts positive psychological adjustment and success later in life. However, UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that modern middle-class children spend surprisingly little time helping around the house and often overestimate their contributions.
Simply forcing children to do chores through parental authority teaches compliance rather than self-sufficiency. To make chores appealing, transform "have to do" tasks into "want to do" activities by making them fun-singing, dancing, or playing music while working. Even more effective is doing chores together, creating a social experience and modeling that caretaking isn't all drudgery.
Many entrepreneurs recall spending time with their parents at work, observing how small tasks contribute to larger goals. Nick Sarillo, founder of Chicago-area restaurants, worked in his father's construction company from age ten, learning that unglamorous tasks are essential to running a business successfully. These early experiences taught him a "can-do" mindset where hard work was the path to achievement.
Early paid or volunteer jobs help teens perceive the tangible products of work. While research comparing youth from 1979 and 1997 showed diminishing financial advantages from teenage employment, the real benefits go beyond money-developing responsibility, accomplishment, and internal motivation. Volunteer positions often provide ideal experience by requiring youth to tackle "whatever needs to get done."
Academic work provides extraordinary opportunities for children to develop strong work ethics as conscientiousness and industriousness emerge in early school years. Helicopter parenting undermines this development by completing school projects for children, robbing them of mastery experiences and self-management skills. The goal isn't high grades but cultivating intrinsic motivation-the internal drive to master tasks-which research shows predicts the tendency to work hard and thrive at challenges even decades later.
Taking interest in a child's schoolwork content-not just their grades-sends the strongest message about what matters in education. Rather than doing homework for them, parents should encourage children to discuss the content conversationally, articulating what they find confusing or interesting. This approach sparks passion that leads to better grades and deeper learning.
8장
The Social Foundation: People Skills That Last a Lifetime
Research shows likeability in childhood strongly predicts adult success. A twenty-year study published in Development and Psychopathology found that childhood social competence with peers, alongside academic attainment, had a "cascade effect" on adult development. High social competence led to successful work histories while peer problems signaled future work difficulties.
Importantly, likeability differs from popularity-likeable children are perceived as "good eggs" regardless of whether they're shy or assertive. In both business and classroom settings, social dynamics significantly impact success. Likeable children know how to behave appropriately in different situations-playing during recess, focusing during lessons, collaborating in groups, and resolving conflicts productively.
Three core social skills emerge as particularly important: collaboration, conflict resolution, and conversation. Collaboration begins early in childhood through everyday activities. When parents involve toddlers in grocery shopping by discussing items and letting them help, they transform potential battles into team efforts. With siblings, establishing clear rules helps foster collaboration: nothing fun happens without a collaborative solution, talking replaces yelling, and children broker their own compromises.
Conflict resolution skills develop largely through parenting approaches. Dr. Diana Baumrind's influential research identified parenting styles based on warmth and control: authoritative (high warmth with firm management), authoritarian (low warmth with strict management), permissive (warm but few rules), and uninvolved (disengaged). Decades of studies show authoritative parenting produces the most socially adept children. These parents model self-regulation during conflicts, explain reasons behind rules, listen to children's perspectives, and consider modifications when warranted.
Teacher Paul Barnwell describes conversation as "the single most overlooked skill we fail to teach students." Parents can cultivate this essential ability by regularly talking with their children, though research shows dramatic variations in verbal engagement-from toddlers hearing 12,000 words to less than 700 in the same timeframe. Family dinners provide crucial conversation opportunities, with studies showing each additional weekly dinner correlates with fewer emotional problems and more prosocial behaviors.
In today's world, children must also master electronic communication, learning to express themselves authentically across various platforms while maintaining genuine connections. Parents should actively engage with their children's online presence, ensuring their digital communication remains respectful, genuine, and consistent with their in-person identity.
PR expert Faye de Muyshondt discovered that academically successful college students often failed to secure jobs due to poor interview skills. This led her to create socialsklz:-), teaching essential social competencies like eliminating verbal fillers, mastering body language, and managing digital presence. As Jen tells her staff, successful professionals must be "binders"-people who build deep relationships, listen intently, communicate effectively, and genuinely connect with others.
9장
The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Skill: Serving Others
Entrepreneurs understand that success fundamentally depends on providing value to others. Across all professions, achievement comes from contributing something wanted or needed-doctors heal, chefs create enjoyable food, artists evoke emotion. This service orientation represents the most essential entrepreneurial trait.
Sheree Spoltore, founder of Global Songwriters Connection, emphasizes that success in Nashville's competitive music industry requires understanding others' needs. With 55,000 songwriters in Nashville, writing great songs isn't enough-you must bring something Nashville needs. As Spoltore says, "In business, you need to get in the habit of understanding the needs of others so you can meet those needs."
Understanding others' emotions is crucial for this service orientation. Research shows parents significantly influence children's emotional intelligence. Parents who view emotions as adaptive rather than dangerous raise children who better understand others' feelings. Studies demonstrate that when parents value emotions and guide children in expressing them, children become more skilled at reading others' emotions.
Even fourteen-month-olds spontaneously help others without being asked. Toddlers not only want to help but are savvy about providing genuinely useful assistance. Three-year-olds demonstrate "paternalistic" helping-caring more about truly helping than merely complying with requests. Parents should give children opportunities to express their natural helping instinct rather than seeing them as "getting in the way."
For older children, the Greater Good Science Center recommends parents model kindness inside and outside the home and involve children in volunteer activities. Research suggests that personally praising children for being "helpers" (using nouns rather than verbs) is particularly effective in developing their self-concept as inherently giving people.
A Vancouver study of 9-11 year olds demonstrated that children asked to perform three acts of kindness weekly not only experienced increased well-being but also became more likeable among peers. Creating environments where children regularly perform acts of kindness can make classrooms more inclusive and improve family dynamics.
The lemonade stand represents a powerful opportunity to teach children about service. Brian Cunningham, CEO of My Career Launcher, discovered at age seven that selling lemonade wasn't just about commerce-it was about providing a service and making people feel good. These examples show how simple ventures can help children internalize the connection between success and serving others' needs.
Dr. Adam Grant's research reveals that "givers"-people who fundamentally enjoy helping others-often achieve substantial success over time. Medical students who help peers, even at the expense of their own study time, frequently earn the highest grades. This contradicts the notion that "nice guys finish last." Even elite colleges like Harvard seek students who will contribute positively to their community, asking explicitly how applicants will benefit others.
10장
Finding the Balance: Principles for Entrepreneurial Parenting
The seven entrepreneurial traits covered-spanning cognitive, personal, and social domains-naturally interconnect in both children's development and entrepreneurs' lives. Exploration leads to innovation; optimism and opportunity-seeking fuel both; industriousness helps translate optimism into action; and most cognitive efforts and personal attributes get expressed in social contexts requiring collaboration.
Children have natural tendencies-some are born optimists while others lean toward pessimism; some are inherently social while others find social situations challenging. However, all entrepreneurial skills are teachable and can be nurtured by parents. The goal isn't to transform weaknesses into strengths but to enhance each skill reasonably within a child's natural inclinations.
Parents should aim for a "sweet zone" of involvement-supporting and encouraging children without smothering them with guidance or doing things for them. The goal is to provide sufficient opportunity for children to capitalize on their own abilities. Even a moderate amount of support goes far-simply engaging with babies helps develop their exploratory behavior, while fostering innovation comes from supporting play without directing it.
In today's testing-obsessed culture, parents feel pressure to prepare children for success measured by grades and scores. However, many essential skills fostered by parents aren't captured by standardized tests, though their importance emerges in research. The scientific literature and entrepreneurs' life stories suggest that honoring children's fundamental cognitive, personal, and emotional development needs is the best predictor of success.
Despite the intense competition children face for school admission and employment, the best way to give them an edge is to invest in developing their cognitive, personal, and social skills. This equips them to navigate real-world challenges and define success on their own terms. In our difficult, ever-changing world, developing "can-do" kids represents the most valuable investment parents can make.
