How Esther Wojcicki's 'TRICK' for raising successful children can be applied to business

Esther Wojcicki swears by her memorable acronym “TRICK” — Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness — as her strategy for raising successful children.

It’s a tried-and-tested method from the person often referred to as the “Godmother of Silicon Valley.” Wojcicki, the founder of the renowned Palo Alto High School Media Arts programme, has been an educator for more than 35 years.

She is also mother to two Silicon Valley CEOs — Susan, CEO of YouTube, and Anne, genetic testing startup 23andMe’s chief executive — as well as Janet, a professor of paediatrics and award-winning anthropologist.

When it comes to business, “trust” is the most important element of TRICK companies should focus on, Wojcicki said on Yahoo Finance UK’s Global Change Agents with Lianna Brinded show.

Watch the full Esther Wojcicki Global Change Agents interview here.

“When you trust an employee and you respect an employee, they feel much better about themselves,” Wojcicki said. “They want to be part of the team and work to make sure whatever it is your company is doing is going to be the best it can be.”

She noted a clear trust gap exists at companies that install technology to monitor whether or not their employees are seated at their desks.

“That is not the way to go,” Wojcicki said.

“You want that employee to feel like they’re part of a team and that they’re working together with their teammates to do the best they can do for the company” and are in an environment where they feel comfortable to share their ideas, she said.

Global Change Agents with Lianna Brinded explores the stories of some of the most inspirational women across business, tech, and academia. Catch up on all the latest episodes here.