Summary

Sallie Krawcheck reflects on the importance of working with integrity, as children observe and form their own views on professional conduct and values.

Abstract

Sallie Krawcheck recounts personal experiences that underscore the significance of working as if one's children are watching. She describes a dinner with her son where they encountered Dick Fuld, former CEO of Lehman Brothers, which led to an unexpected conversation about the financial crisis and her son's negative perceptions of Wall Street. Despite her career in finance, her son considered her one of the "good guys," suggesting that her actions had conveyed a positive message. Later, her daughter's internship with her provided further insight into the impact of her work choices, as her daughter appreciated the meaningfulness of her current role over the material perks of her previous job. Krawcheck emphasizes that children are acutely aware of their parents' professional lives and the values they embody at work.

Opinions

Children form their own opinions about professional conduct and ethics, influenced by their observations of their parents' work and the broader societal context.
Parents should be mindful of their professional behavior as it sets an example for their children.
The true impact of one's work is not solely measured by financial success but also by the positive influence and legacy one leaves, particularly in the eyes of one's children.
Working with integrity and striving to make a difference can lead to greater personal fulfillment and is recognized and valued by children.
Despite common assumptions, children are attentive to their parents' careers and can discern the substance of their work beyond superficial measures of success.

Why You Should Work As Though Your Kids Are Watching

Some years ago, right after we caught our breath from the financial crisis, I took my then-young-teenaged son to dinner to celebrate the end of the school year. He got to choose the restaurant; naturally, he chose a steak house.

Horsing around with my kids when they were younger

As we were being seated, I recognized Dick Fuld. The Dick Fuld. Former CEO of Lehman Brothers, whom I had covered as a research analyst at Bernstein. I stopped, said hello, met his daughter, and introduced my son.

As we walked to our table, I thought, “Great. A teaching moment.”

When we sat, I said, “Honey, that was Dick Fuld and he…”

My son cut me off…with energy. “You don’t have to tell me who Dick Fuld is. I know who Dick Fuld is! He shouldn’t be at dinner; he should be in jail!!” He went on and on and on…..about the financial crisis, about the collapse of Lehman Brothers, about his views on greed on Wall Street. I kid you not. These were not topics we were discussing at home, though we had certainly been living the financial crisis. I thought he was too young to “get it” or have any interest.

And, let’s just say, his views on Wall Street were not positive.

Uh-oh, I thought.

I said to him, “Honey, you know I work on Wall Street, don’t you?”

His reply: “I know. I Googled you. You’re one of the good guys.”

Whew!

Fast forward to this summer. My daughter is interning for me: she’s doing a bit of research, grabbing coffee for the team, watching us build product. We’re all in an office the size of a larger-than-average broom closet: one in which I can’t get out of my chair without ramming the back of our lead designer.

At one point, as we were heading home one day, I said to her, “Funny, isn’t it? I used to have an office many times the size of this for just me, I had a driver, I had a jet, I had fresh-baked cookies.”

Her response: “So what? Sure, the money’s not as good, but look at how much happier you are, Mom, than in your last job. You’re creating something and you’re trying to make a difference in the lives of women.”

I promise you, I’m not making this up. Not a word of it. I was floored.

I’ve written about the handful of smart things I did as working mom. One thought to add: Why should we work as though our children are watching?

Because they are.

Even if we don’t think they are, they are.

Sallie Krawcheck is the Chair of Ellevate Network and Ellevate Asset Management. Ellevate Network is a professional woman’s network, operating across industries and around the world. Both businesses are committed to the full economic and financial engagement of women.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com on August 3, 2015.