Professional Pointers From Your Kids

To introduce this upcoming Fall Series, our very own editorial staff members recount favorite childhood lessons

Kids say the darndest things… or do they? Many of the lessons we learn growing up still can be applied today in work and in play.

Think of sayings such as “honesty is the best policy” or “a penny saved is a penny earned.” These cute phases help kids remember small lessons, but the concepts behind them are significant and timeless. Think of how many times honesty really has helped you in a business situation, and how it has reinforced the ideas of your company. These are not just childhood themes. In fact, there are books and movies about how they apply in adulthood. For example, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum.

Many of Forefront’s featured executives highlight how they use lessons learned as youths or in raising their own children when developing their careers and leading their teams. We have asked them to share these experiences, and over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing them with you.

To start, here our staff shares life lessons from their own upbringings.

Anthony D’Amico, Co-Founder & CMO – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

“I remember being a kid and being told that I would have to wait a year before I could do something (because timing and planning needed to happen first). I thought that was an absolute eternity. Being an adult now, I realize how important timing and planning really are when it comes to all aspects of business. Sometimes playing the long game is a better strategy than continually changing your mind when you lose patience or can’t stand waiting for the right time.”

Jaclyn Crawford, Assignment Editor – Take a Timeout

“As kids, this was a punishment. But when I get stressed and need to sort out my thoughts, I take a timeout. Just as I did as a kid, I give myself time to clear my head.”

Gerald Mathews, Director of Editorial Development – Be a Man of Your Word

“One thing that my dad always used to tell me as a kid and constantly reinforced over the years was to be a man of your word. He always told me that if you say you are going to do something, you better make sure that you do it. You are only as good as your word: Integrity is everything.”

Siqi Liu, Editorial Intern – The Good Things in Life Don’t Come Free

“My grandmother used say that I should always accept gifts with caution. The good things in life don’t come free, she said, implying that I should never expect anything handed to me on a silver platter. I don’t think she meant that I should be ungrateful for gifts; rather, I should only accept favors when I feel like I deserve them. I still live by these words today.”

Jennifer, Sales Director – Respect Your Elders

“Respect your elders is an idea that was always reinforced on me when I was a child. Til this day, I still get advice from mentors in my field, and I always believe that experience is knowledge.”

Grant Casleton, Marketing and Media Associate – Stay Active

“One lesson I learned as a kid is to continue staying active as I get older. I ride my bike just about every day during the week, and I will ride it until there is snow on the ground. It’s important to stay healthy and active—it’ll go a long way for your longevity!”

Stay tuned as we share stories from our network on Professional Pointers From Your Kids…