I’m reminded of one father who instilled the value of hard work into his daughter. Harry regularly took his daughter Demi to work with him, where she learned the value of hard work, honesty, and generosity. When she grew older, she went to work for him every day, and their relationship flourished as the business took off. 

When Harry passed away his daughter took over the company. Shortly after the company’s revenues rose to be in the hundreds of millions, and Demi carried on her father’s traditions of hard work, honesty, and being generous.  

Dad, in a similar way, you can pass on a working legacy to your children. That legacy may not include a multi, million-dollar business, or it may or may not include occupational skills and tricks of the trade. But you can instill in them what’s really important.

So, give it some thought. What kinds of work-related values would you like your children to learn from you?

Think about the meaning of hard work, and how you demonstrate honesty, and fairness, and respect everyone, no matter what their role or position. 

Your daughter will benefit from a full-scale view of life in the business world, so expose her to the things you do, how you do them, and how you are providing for your family’s needs. 

Remember dad, that you communicate a lot about work when you get home. How do your words reflect your attitudes about work? Do your children hear you talk about the joys of meeting a challenge, and the privilege of earning a living at something you enjoy? Or are you always griping and complaining? 

Your child may or may not follow in your vocational footsteps, but it’s likely that she will imitate your values and attitudes about work. That may be a bigger responsibility than whatever is waiting for you in a text or in your “in” box.