Want to make your parents proud? Let them see you being decent, not just impressive.

LEADERSHIP

WHAT THIS MEANS

Grades and trophies tell your parents how you are doing. How you treat your younger brother when nobody is watching tells them who you are becoming, and that is the thing they actually lie awake about. Pride in an achievement is warm and short. Pride in your character is the kind that lets them stop worrying.

So let them see the unimpressive parts on purpose. Apologize where they can hear it, and be patient with somebody at the dinner table you find annoying. You do not have to point any of it out, and they will notice anyway.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

When did your parents last see you being plainly decent?

MORE IN AMBITION, SUCCESS & LEGACY

Free, with nothing to buy inside it.