Add A Zero

When Chesky reviews goals, he often says 'add a zero' - imagine the goal 10X bigger. Not because you have to hit it, but because 'when you push people, they will sometimes think about the problem differently.' The exercise forces you to break free from incremental thinking.

But here's the deeper lesson. When a coach says 'add a zero,' there are two interpretations. One: 'You're not good enough.' Two: 'I see potential in you that you don't see in yourself.' The great coach John Wooden said his secret was just asking players to do their very best - but the hidden part was that he saw their potential when they couldn't.

Your kids will set goals. They'll tell you what they think they can do. Your job is to sometimes gently add a zero - not to pressure them, but to reveal what's possible. 'What if you could draw 10 of those? What if you made friends with the whole class, not just one kid?'

Not every goal needs a zero. But when you push, make sure they know: it's because you see something in them, not because they're falling short.