What can we learn about business from a four year old?

Recently I was watching the news and a headline caught my attention right away. “Four year old girl Andrea Vaughn raised $100 for humane society.’ Here a little girl who isn’t even in Kindergarten gets the concept of giving and being full on in community service.

It is a personal rule for us that whenever possible we say “yes” to children who ask us to buy girl guide cookies, have a lemonade sale, sell chocolates or are doing a fundraiser for the school. Our aim in doing so is more about helping them hone that critical skill of asking, and supporting the causes they believe in. (and of course because I love chocolate and girl guide cookies). And when we can't support them, we thank them for asking us. 

There is a quote that says "If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Belief is the beginning of capacity, and of success.

So back to the question, what can we learn about business from a four year old?  We can be reminded of:
- How important it is to be a champion for others
- We are leaders in many areas of our lives
- To celebrate accomplishments, even the tiny ones
- To ask!
- To come from a place of giving.

Is Giving An Interaction or a Transaction?

Jessica Jackley is a successful business woman, and also the co-founder of Kiva.org, a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. “By leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.” (source: Kiva.org)

Jessica Jackley- entrepreneur, successful business owner and change agent!

At a recent Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Conference where I was speaking I also had the opportunity to hear Jessica’s presentation. She shared the moving and powerful story of Kiva, and how small loans such as $25 can support an entrepreneur in another country to move out of poverty into business. The stories were rich with the reminder of how a little giving, empathy and understanding, can make a big difference in the world. Stories, according to Jessica, drive us to act!

Jessica talked about the importance of knowing your mission and your business identity…that is who you are and what you do. She also stressed that in business and leadership you must listen well, and to make something from whatever you have (any action is better than none at all). Lesson #3 was to co-create and include people on your journey.

When describing the process of giving, she stated that community service and giving is about an interaction (e.g. relationship) vs. transaction (providing a check). I thought this was a wonderful way to define being in service to others.

If you were to describe your lessons in community service and giving, what would they be?

To find out more about Kiva and the loans that change lives, visit: http://www.kiva.org/