A MESSAGE TO THE CEOs OF THE WORLD
My seven year old, Mack, is running for school representative of his class. I explained to him that I am proud of him for simply trying. Win or lose, Mommy and Daddy appreciate him going after it. (We teach failure in all things we do because it means you have risked putting yourself out there and tried. The alternative of never trying is the true definition of failure).
So Mack and I sat down to hammer out his speech.
Curious and amazing looks from his baby blues into my hazel irises.
"What do I say?" asked Mack.
"Maybe you should tell your class how you will 'represent' them."
"I could declare a Snickers for lunch every day."
"I could extend recess by five minutes a day."
Totalitarian dictatorship now pumping through his small veins with visions of Franco, Mussolini, and the like right there at our very own private Episcopal School... genius!
I snap him out of his power frenzy.
"What if you first told them about you?" I said, "About why you would be a good representative?"
More silence, but I could see thought synapses firing throughout his cerebellum. Then this...
"I know, I am thoughtful and kind."
"Yeah... you are thoughtful and kind." Could I love this child any deeper than this moment?
AND THEN I GOT TO THINKING...
What if this was true in business? And all CEOs were thoughtful and kind? What if my little seven-year-old told us everything we need to know about the business world, politics, race relations, whatever?
I pull the definitions off of Google:
Thoughtful: showing consideration for the needs of other people.
Kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
What if CEOs were "thoughtful?" What if they showed consideration for the needs of others? Heck, let's not get too touchy-feely here because we know CEOs represent shareholders who want/need a return on their investment, but what if that was in the company's mission statement or a directive from its Board of Directors? All of your decisions must be made being "thoughtful," considering the needs of others, not only shareholders, but the people your decisions or policies impact?
And what if "kindness" were brought into the equation? What if being friendly, generous, and considerate were also mandated. Why are these qualities seen as a sign of weakness? Are we to suspect that being a leader of people, or a company, should not operate like this because a leader should simply dominate the marketplace or crush the competition?
I will say this unequivocally, none of us, not one of us on this planet should accept this type of behavior from any leader. It is unacceptable and sends the wrong message to the universe... to our children.
So, to my Mack... you ARE both thoughtful and kind. Your Mommy and Daddy know this and see it in your actions every day. There is no election, no promotion, no status on this earth that will ever make us more proud of who you are than living with both of those amazing traits.
Big Mack is gonna represent!
This post originally appeared on The Whole Magilla and was written by Chris Meyer, co-founder of MagillaLoans.com.
Follow Dean Sioukas on Twitter
Follow Magilla on Twitter
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.