“I have to rethink my parenting style! Because if that’s what yields you, then I’ve got to up my game with our kids being self-sufficient.” – Meghan Duchess of Sussex
The Duchess of Sussex speaking of the executive co-CEO of Ariel Investments and Chairperson of Starbucks the incomparable Mellody Hobson. This is a woman who grew up from humble beginnings to achieve the highest levels of success in the business and investment industry; very male-dominated industries.
“I found my orthodontist. I went to the appointment by myself,” Hobson said of investigating braces in sixth grade. “I asked all of my friends who their orthodontist was and called and made an appointment because I had a fang, you know, one of those teeth that stick up top. It was so awful. I knew I couldn’t go through life like that.”
Remembering how the “special” orthodontist treated her like an adult, the doctor told her that braces would be $2,500.
Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers the story of success writes:
The way you were raised, namely with wealthy or less fortunate parents, also plays a role in future success. Wealthy parents taking their children to the doctor, encourage their children to talk to a doctor about any health problems and ask questions. Just like Mellody was raised to do.
And Mellody said, ‘Well, we don’t have that kind of money. And he gave her a payment plan,’ ” Hobson recalled of the valuable money lesson. He gave her a little booklet. And then she went home and told her mom and explained the whole thing to her. Mellody went back and got braces. The businesswoman said her mom wasn’t surprised that she was so inventive because “if I wanted to do things, I had to figure it out every time.”- Mellody Hobson
These qualities develop assertiveness and self-sufficiency in children. The exact qualities that develop practical intelligence and create success in high-performing individuals like Mellody Hobson. Practical intelligence is one of the best predictors of your success in life.
Psychologist Robert Sternberg introduced us to “practical intelligence. Practical intelligence is about knowing what to say; whom to say it, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it. The ability to be clear and concise with the audience to get what you want.
Practical intelligence enables you to read situations correctly. Having high IQ does not translate to practical intelligence. Some of the smartest people are not the most successful. Mellody Hobson is a combination of High IQ and High Practical intelligence. This is the kind of training that produced CEO, Chairwoman extraordinaire.
Most royals are underachievers with rooms full of participation trophies. Prince Edward was applauded for cutting a cake. An adult male was applauded for performing a pre-teen task because traditionally royals are underachievers with no practical intelligence at all
Motherhood is always on Duchess Meghan Markle’s mind. She tells the story on Archetypes and how she always wanted to be a mom. In an interview with The Brew magazine in 2014, she spoke of her dream of becoming a mother. Mellody’s story left a big impact on the Duchess’ parenting style
