Dear Dad,

By your words and more importantly your actions, you taught, guided and inspired me to have:

- the WISDOM to know the right thing to do
- the INTEGRITY to do it
- the CHARACTER to stand up to those who don’t
- the COURAGE to stop those who won’t.

You not only made me want to be a better son (or daughter), “You made me want to be a better man (or woman)” and that as the movie says is, As Good as It Gets.

I love you and I’m proud to be your son (daughter).

Love,

(your name)

I was not wise or articulate enough to say these words to my dad before he died fifteen years ago. Having missed out on that, my unconscious nearly prevented me from sharing it with you, because it still hurts that he didn’t get to hear these words and that I didn’t get to hear me saying them to him. I hope that some day my children will say them to me, but more importantly, that I will deserve them.

Happy Father’s Day

P.S. Check out “The CEO of the 21^st Century” to see that this Usable Insight is not just for fathers.

I also want to thank my supporters, subscribers and friends. My book, “Just Listen” was recently ranked as the #1 US business book in China and Germany and was recently excerpted in the San Francisco and Los Angeles Daily Journal.

Also if you want to hear a live interview on “The Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone” tune in on Tuesday, June 22 at 9 AM PDT/12 Noon EDT on the Radio Diva Toolbox with Dr. Sandra Hayman (scroll down and click on “The Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone”).

Bearing a child makes you a mother or father;
Rearing a child makes you a mom or dad,

Understanding a child makes you a great parent.

Deep—and not so deep—inside most parents is the hope that they did a good job raising their children. I certainly include myself on that list. And when you get a sign that you have done so, there is no greater gift a parent can receive on Mother’s or Father’s Day. Here is such a gift that I received several years ago from my eldest daughter. What made it particularly special is that it didn’t occur on Father’s Day.

Hi Dad,

Last night I was walking around Manhattan as I often do with my friends talking about how confused we felt about our futures. And as frequently happens I said, “My dad said…” and as always happens, it made the conversation considerably better. I don’t know how many of my friends can say the same about their fathers. I am so lucky to have such a wise dad, even if he does live 3,000 miles away. See you in a few weeks.

Love, Lauren

I wouldn’t sell that note for a million bucks. And no matter how bad a day is, or how rude or annoying people are to me, or how little positive feedback I receive, I know that I matter—because there’s a piece of paper I carry in my wallet that says so.*

If you want to let your dad know that he matters, send a similar note to him this Father’s Day.

• * excerpted from: “Just Listen” Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone (PREORDER NOW0
• How to Raise a Self-Confident Child”
• “Grow Your Company without Short-Changing Your Kid”“
• Check out FREE RESOURCES