Esther Wojcicki's "Secret" To Raising a Future CEO #success #advice

Fortune Magazine
Fortune MagazineApr 22, 2026

Why It Matters

Embedding TRICK principles cultivates adaptable leaders and a kinder, more innovative workplace, directly impacting future business performance.

Key Takeaways

  • Trust, respect, independence, collaboration, kindness form the TRICK framework.
  • Giving children autonomy fosters future CEOs’ critical thinking.
  • Collaboration replaces dictation, encouraging creativity and problem‑solving in teams.
  • Respect means listening to opinions, even about cookie choices.
  • Kindness drives engagement across families, classrooms, and corporations.

Summary

Esther Wojcicki argues that raising a future CEO hinges on a simple acronym—TRICK—standing for trust, respect, independence, collaboration, and kindness. She contends that these five principles work equally well in parenting, classrooms, and corporate environments, shaping individuals who can thrive in an unpredictable world.

The video emphasizes that trust and respect create a safe space for dialogue, while independence empowers children to make decisions, fostering critical thinking. Collaboration replaces authoritarian dictation, encouraging creativity and problem‑solving. Kindness, she notes, is the universal catalyst that sustains engagement across all relationships.

Wojcicki illustrates her point with a vivid example: allowing a child to argue why they deserve three chocolate‑chip cookies instead of one. This small act of respect teaches negotiation and self‑advocacy. She also warns against the myth of a single “right path,” urging parents to nurture adaptability for the next century’s challenges.

Adopting the TRICK framework could reshape corporate culture, producing leaders who value autonomy, empathy, and collaborative innovation. For educators and parents, it offers a practical roadmap to develop the next generation of resilient, creative CEOs.

Original Description

Esther Wojcicki knows a thing or two about raising powerhouse daughters—including  former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki and 23andMe founder Anne Wojcicki. While speaking with the Fortune #TermSheet vodcast, she shared her best advice for raising a future CEO.
#CEO #Wojcicki #leadership #business
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