Regarding your post about 5 crucial subjects schools don’t cover, I would suggest another one that isn’t really taught – collaboration. You may have alluded to it in the section on how to deal with people or in other entries about entrepreneurship, but perhaps you may have some additional thoughts on it. I think it would be helpful to learn about collaboration early on in our lives. When we were young, we were taught to share, which was somewhat enforced in school through projects, etc. But I don’t recall emphasis being placed on true collaboration, which I am sure is vital to entrepreneurial ventures.

As early as elementary school, and throughout high school and college, we were instilled with the mentality to be individually competitive. I have found that in the real world, I’ve had to learn how to not only work in teams, but also enable my team to work with and learn from other groups, which creates quite a dynamic. I have also had to learn how to influence others without authority. I think in order to be successful, especially in a progressively global economy, we have to learn how to effectively leverage the resources around us, the most vital being people. Throughout your ventures, what was your experience collaborating with others beyond your wife? Were those experiences not only helpful, but also necessary to your success?

Btw, I don’t think that taking your daughter out is a good idea…I think its a grand idea. I don’t agree with the reader that it would spoil her expectations about men. Not all men are the same. Some of us are nice pigs and good dogs Seriously, its great to teach your daughter what men are and how they should be. And a loving father as an example is the best place to start.

I can understand the reader’s concern that the girl may grow to compare the unconditional love of her father to that of the boys she dates. But its not about comparison or living up to an impossible gentlemen’s standard; its about appreciation through examples. Its ultimately about learning what a true lady is and what those qualities deserve. Your daughter would not think she is queen – probably a princess, but who says raising a kid is easy? Btw, she will know that Mommy is the Queen. And as she grows up, she will appreciate the right kind of man because she knows what is possible for men. If I had a daughter, I would totally have a similar bonding time. Of course, we would have a lot of opportunities because I won’t let her date until she’s 35

Thanks in advance for any time that you may devote to responding to this comment.

- BP

I enjoyed this post very much. That last bit was really funny! Your daughter is very fortunate to have you a cool father like you.