Mark Cuban has a simple tactic for inspiring young children to think about their own limitations, or lack thereof.
And he uses it often, he says. “I get emails from kids all over the world, because ‘Shark Tank’ is on everywhere and asking me business questions,” Cuban recently told the “Lex Fridman Podcast.”
The tactic is as simple as pointing at a light bulb or a chair.
“When I talk to elementary school kids, one of the things I do, I say, ‘OK, let’s look around. Do you see that light there? One day, that light didn’t exist. Then someone one had the idea. Then someone created a product…And now your school bought it,” Cuban said.
He continued: “‘See that chair? Chairs haven’t always looked like that. Someone had this idea. Why not you? When you go out… ask yourself, ‘Why not me? Why Can’t I be the one to change the world?'”
The heart of the Cuban message is relatively common: anyone can create something that changes the world. World-weary adults may roll their eyes, but experts say children need parents and other role models for good behaviors, including the ambition and confidence to believe they can propose an idea that will change the world.
Research shows that children’s behaviors and mindsets can be strongly influenced by positive role models, including notable and relevant achievements. And the more children hear these stories of overcoming long odds, persevering and ultimately succeeding, the more they will strive to embody these traits in their own lives and careers, according to Mary Murphy, a psychology professor at the University of Texas. ‘Indiana.
“Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to convey lessons (to children),” Murphy wrote for CNBC Make It last year.
Cuban has his own inspiring story, teaching himself to be a salesman by selling trash bags door to door at the age of 12. Years later, he became a billionaire by helping launch Broadcast.com, one of the Internet’s first media streaming platforms, although “People thought I was an idiot,” he said at CBS last year.
These days, he even finds himself inspired by his conversations with young students — crediting the “spirit” he sees when chatting with them, he said on the podcast. “I see it when I talk to schools … it shines in kids’ eyes that there’s something bigger and better and exciting,” Cuban said.
It’s impressive to see so much optimism from a young generation who also has to face “fear (of) the climate and many other things”, he added.
“But that’s the beauty of children,” Cuban said. “Generation Z really embodies that. And to me, that’s really exciting.”
Disclosure: CNBC has exclusive off-network cable rights to “Shark Tank.”
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