Weekend Thought-(by Rajesh Srivastava, Former CEO Helene Curtis)

Weekend Thought-(by Rajesh Srivastava, Former CEO Helene Curtis) I had just returned from an overseas business trip and, as is my habit (read: to ease my guilt), I brought back an assortment of chocolates for my son, Kautuk. When I got home, I was told his best friend was visiting. Wanting to surprise them, I picked two different chocolates from the pack and walked into his room. “Hey guys!” I said, holding them out. “Pick the one you like.” Kautuk immediately grabbed one. I handed the other to his friend and walked out—feeling slightly disappointed. I thought Kautuk should have let his friend choose first. After his friend left, I said to him, “You should have given your friend the first choice.” Kautuk looked straight at me and replied, “Dad, we both love KitKat. There was only one. I quickly took the other chocolate so he would get the KitKat he loves.” Seeing me speechless, he added, “He would have done the same for me.” I was stunned. That day I learnt an important lesson: Children still instinctively put their friends first. But what about us adults? Over the course of my corporate career, I’ve often seen people prioritize their own interests instead. A question for you: What lesson have you learned from your children? Do share it so the rest of us can learn from it too.