Most parents tell their kids: “Don’t talk to strangers.”

Scott Galloway does the opposite. He forces his kids to talk to strangers. Seriously. And sometimes it takes an hour.

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The Big Idea: Confidence Is a Repetition Game

Most adults struggle with one simple thing:

Talking to people they don’t know.

  • Networking
  • Job interviews
  • Asking for help
  • Starting conversations

For a lot of us, those situations trigger the same feeling: social anxiety. Galloway’s idea is simple. Confidence comes from exposure. Not theory. Not lectures. Reps. The more uncomfortable conversations you survive, the less scary they become.

Why This Matters for Kids

Here’s the trap modern parents fall into. We engineer friction out of our kids’ lives.

We order their food. We talk to the coach. We schedule the playdates.

But every time we do that, we accidentally send a message: “You can’t handle this.”

Kids don’t need protection from every awkward moment. They need practice navigating them.

The 30-Second Challenge

Galloway’s rule is brilliantly simple. Before leaving somewhere, his kids must talk to one stranger.

That’s it. Not a speech. Not a long conversation.

Just something small like:

  • “Can I pet your dog?”

  • “What kind of dog is that?”

  • “Is this line for coffee?”

Tiny reps. But powerful ones. Because those reps stack.

Why It Works

Kids feel the same fear adults do. That tight chest. That hesitation.
That voice that says:

“This might be embarrassing.”

When they push through that feeling once, something clicks. Nothing bad happens. The stranger smiles. The dog gets pet. Life moves on. And their brain rewires:

“Oh… I can do this.”

What This Looks Like for Dads

You don’t need to copy the exact Starbucks rule. But you can borrow the principle.

Look for small opportunities to nudge your kids out of their comfort zone.

Have them:

  • Order their own food

  • Ask the store employee for help

  • Introduce themselves to another kid

  • Thank a server directly

It might feel awkward. That’s the point.

The Long Game

One day your kids will have to:

  • Ask for a job

  • Introduce themselves to a future spouse

  • Pitch an idea

  • Make a friend in a new city

Those moments all require the same skill: Talking to people you don’t know. It’s not talent. It’s practice.

Dad Day Takeaway

Confidence isn’t something you teach. It’s something kids earn through uncomfortable reps. So next time you’re in line at Starbucks…Don’t speak for them. Let them sweat a little. Then let them go ask if they can pet the dog.