Every step you take

When we talk about raising remarkable kids, we often focus on big dreams and grand plans. 

But the truth is that the difference between being good and being great is usually just a few extra steps.

Don’t buy it?

Some founders that you –ahem– may have heard of lend truth to this idea. 

So the next time your kid is straddling the difference between executing something well, and executing it like a rockstar, pull out one of these stories to inspire them.

Yeah, but nobody’s going to see that…

Steve Jobs was known for his relentless pursuit of perfection (some would say control freak, but hey, it worked for him).

One of the small but significant steps he took was in the design of the first Macintosh computer. 

He insisted that the inside of the computer be as beautifully designed as the outside — even though most users would never see it. 

This attention to detail wasn’t about how it looked — it was about instilling a culture of excellence and pride in craftsmanship at Apple. 

This mindset is something that is important to teach kids—

👉The little things matter, even if no one else notices. 

It’s about going the extra mile, not just for recognition, but for the satisfaction of knowing you’ve done your best.

Bezos and the empty chair

Jeff Bezos didn’t just want to create a good online bookstore — he wanted to create the world’s most customer-centric company.

(Side note — does your kid know that Amazon used to just sell books? 🤷)

A small but powerful step he took was to leave an empty chair at every meeting, representing the customer. 

This gesture reminded everyone at Amazon that the customer’s voice should always be present in decision-making. 

It was a small step, but it had a huge impact on the company’s success. 

So remind your kid that greatness often comes from making decisions that prioritize the needs of others.

The place to be

Howard Schultz transformed Starbucks from a small Seattle coffee chain into a global phenomenon. 

He noticed that while other coffee shops were good at serving coffee, they lacked a sense of community — so he got obsessive with that one little detail.

He introduced comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a welcoming atmosphere to create a “third place” between home and work. 

This small step transformed Starbucks from a coffee shop into, well, “the place to be.”

It’s a reminder to our kids that paying attention to the environment can make all the difference.

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Greatness doesn’t always require massive changes — often, it’s about doing just a little more than what’s expected. 

For parents, this means encouraging kids to take pride in the little things they do, knowing that these extra steps can set them on the path from good to great. 👊