The competitive landscape for our children is daunting. With an increasingly globalized and automated world, the traditional path of a stable 9-to-5 job feels less secure than ever. This is a primary concern for many parents, myself included, prompting a crucial question: how can we best equip our kids for future success? After watching Netflix's recent Thai series, "Mad Unicorn," a compelling narrative about a startup's tumultuous journey, my thoughts quickly turned to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in my own children.
"Mad Unicorn" vividly illustrates the cutthroat reality of the business world, a far cry from the idealized dreams often portrayed. The protagonist, a young visionary, finds an angel investor in Kanin, a seemingly benevolent CEO who offers unwavering support and resources to bring his innovative idea to life. Yet, as the series unfolds, Kanin's true intentions are revealed: a calculated move to eventually dilute the young entrepreneur's shares and install his own son as CEO. This stark betrayal serves as a potent reminder for parents that the real world, and especially the business arena, isn't always as nice as it seems.
This show offers critical lessons we must instill in our children:
Lesson 1: Vigilance and Due Diligence
While fostering trust and collaboration is essential, it's equally important to teach them to be discerning. They need to understand that not everyone operates with pure intentions, and understanding legal agreements, partnerships, and due diligence is paramount. This isn't about cynicism, but about pragmatism and self-protection. We should encourage our kids to question, to seek multiple perspectives, and to understand the fine print before diving headfirst into ventures.
Lesson 2: The Power of Collaborative Teamwork
Despite the inherent risks, "Mad Unicorn" also underscores the undeniable power of teamwork towards a shared vision. Even amidst the backstabbing, the core team's dedication to their product and their ability to work together, despite external pressures, is what drives their initial success. This teaches us that while vigilance is crucial, collaboration remains indispensable for achieving significant goals. We need to teach our children how to build strong, trustworthy teams, how to delegate effectively, and how to inspire collective effort towards a common objective.
As parents, our role is not just to provide for our children but to prepare them for the complexities of the future. Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset means more than just starting a business; it's about fostering resilience, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and critical thinking. It's about teaching them to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and learn from failures. "Mad Unicorn" is more than just entertainment; it's a valuable cautionary tale and a catalyst for crucial conversations about ambition, ethics, and the realities of innovation in a competitive world. By proactively discussing these themes, we can empower our children to navigate future challenges, whether they choose the path of entrepreneurship or excel in other dynamic fields.