Review by Dion Lim, Founder of NextLesson.com of How to Raise Successful People by Esther Wojcicki

INCREDIBLE CREDIBILITY — STEP ASIDE HELICOPTER, SNOW-PLOW AND TIGER PARENTS, MAKE WAY FOR #THEWOJWAY

Esther Wojcicki is the most credible author I have come across in terms of her real world success as 1) a noted mother who has raised three daughters (CEO of YouTube, Founder/CEO of 23andMe, UCSF researcher) who are making a big impact on the world and 2) a decorated teacher (California Teacher of the Year) who has educated thousands of high school students of diverse race and income over 37 years.

It is part memoir that reads easily as it is chock full of trajectory changing events that shaped her worldview. E.g., a family tragedy leads her to develop a healthy skepticism which she passed on to her children. It is also part parenting framework. Wojcicki shares her stories while presenting TRICK — her methodology that informs both her work as an educator and a parent.

TRICK is an acronym for Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness ー the five fundamental values that “help us all become capable, successful people.” Esther is not merely sharing her journey, she has an agenda to inspire parents to exhale their fear and anxiety and rediscover basic principles for raising children who will thrive. Her many anecdotes are effective at helping aspiring parent visualize how they could follow her suggested path. Those vignettes from a lifetime as a leading educator at school and at home are what really differentiate Wojcicki’s book from the pack.

The timing of her book could not be better. It was less than two months ago that the world was rocked by the college admissions scandal. Rather than owning their child’s success, parents can support their children in defining and achieving their own by following her TRICK approach.