You’ve heard of Beyoncé. You’ve probably heard of Solange, too. These two talented artists are more than just popular music icons—they’re Mathew Knowles’ kids.
But who is Mathew Knowles?
In an episode of The Mindvalley Show with Vishen, the founder of Mindvalley, the multi-accoladed father of two delves deep into the core of his distinctive parenting style. He shares his strategies for nurturing his children’s unique abilities, granting them permission to dream, and balancing work and family life.
Watch the full 47-minute interview:
Who is Mathew Knowles?
In the grand tapestry of the music industry, Mathew is a figure that looms large. Though he’s frequently associated with the stratospheric success of his super-talented daughters, there’s more to him than just being Solange and Beyoncé’s dad. He’s a person of remarkable achievement and diverse talents.
- The father. Despite all his professional achievements, Mathew’s most valuable lessons and insights spring from his role as a parent. It’s in this domain that he invested his heart and soul—not just as a father but as a mentor, guide, and companion to his daughters.
- The manager. He had an unerring commitment to his daughters’ dreams and the ability to make strategic decisions that positioned them for success. His nurturing hand extended beyond Beyoncé and Solange. He also provided guidance to many young talents, like Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, who crossed his path.
- The executive producer. This wasn’t merely about having an ear for a catchy tune. It was more about the art of building a brand amidst the dynamic music scene. And his projects struck a balance between creative vision and commercial viability.
- The real estate entrepreneur. This endeavor reflects Mathew’s business acumen and his ability to diversify his interests. His success in real estate is a testament to his strategic thinking, risk management, and understanding of market dynamics.
His personal journey was not devoid of obstacles, though. From tackling the pressures of the entertainment industry to facing personal health challenges, Mathew endured numerous trials.
Yet, each experience, each hurdle, served as a stepping stone towards personal growth and resilience. And in his own words during his TEDx Talk, “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.”
What’s his take on the traits of highly successful people?
With super-successful children like Beyoncé and Solange, what’s Mathew’s (and his former wife’s) secret?
Here are three key traits he shares in his TEDx Talk:
- Undying passion. It’s this passion that gives them the energy to persist, driving them through the various obstacles they encounter. Beyoncé and Solange, both known for their fervor in music, exemplify this trait.
- Work ethics. Behind the glitz and glam of success are hours and hours of discipline, consistency, and tenacity. If you’ve ever watched Netflix’s HOMECOMING, you can see Beyoncé’s rigorous training and rehearsals—and it’s this work ethic that leads her to deliver flawless performances time and again.
- Learn from failure. Successful individuals aren’t those who never fail, but those who learn from their failures. Even research by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset—seeing challenges and failure as opportunities to develop. As Mathew says, “Failure, mistakes—they’re all opportunities to grow, not a reason to quit.”
The point, according to him, is, “When you’re passionate, and you have the work ethics, and you have the right team, you still will make mistakes.” But it’s how you pick yourself back up and keep going that makes all the difference.
How to foster your child’s destiny: 3 insights from Mathew Knowles
Raising confident kids is more than just providing for their needs; it’s about recognizing their potential and giving them the tools to realize it. And who would know better than someone whose two daughters are inspiring women everywhere, all across the world?
In the sit-down with Vishen, Mathew shares three tips from his parenting approach, each pointing to ways you can nurture your child’s destiny.
1. Identify and support your child’s passion
When it comes to supporting your children’s dreams, you can take notes from Mathew’s parenting skills. An inspiring example of this can be seen in how he identified and nurtured the musical inclinations of Beyoncé and Solange.
From a young age, Mathew noticed their affinity for music. Instead of nudging them towards more traditional career paths, he decided to fan the flames of their passion.
Passion is that thing that excites, that thing that fuels you.
— Mathew Knowles, record executive, talent manager, motivational speaker and author
Research also underscores the importance of parental support in children’s development. A 2009 study found that parental support contributes significantly to children’s self-esteem and overall mental health.
So if your child has a passion for something, it’s important to provide them with the necessary resources to nurture it.
Mathew Knowles’ insight: “I always say this: how do you know if your kid’s passionate about something or it’s a hobby? When you have to tell ‘em to go to practice one time, it’s a hobby. It’s not a passion. Think about that.”
2. Give them permission to dream
Your child’s vision for their life is not yours. It’s as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a clinical psychologist and the trainer of Mindvalley’s Conscious Parenting Mastery Quest, says, “Our children didn’t come into the world to be our puppets. They came here to struggle, fumble, thrive, and enjoy—a journey for which they need our encouragement.”
Mathew understood this principle, and it reflects in his parenting approach. He recognized that his children, like all others, came with an innate vision—a unique perspective on life and a way to express themselves.
Take Beyoncé, for instance. Her father played a crucial role in recognizing her vision and providing avenues for its expression. Similarly, he encouraged Solange to explore her artistic expression, resulting in her distinct identity in the music world.
As a parent, you can follow suit—learn to understand your children’s worldview, encourage their unique visions, and provide the space and tools for their expression. This encourages their personal growth and self-confidence.
Mathew Knowles’ insight: “I think a child, if you had a glass of water when they’re born, the glass is empty. And I think the world experiences even early in their years influence who they are and I think we, as parents and as fathers—it’s up to us to make sure that that glass gets full of the water that we want it to be, and take the negative influences, and help build belief systems in our children. And that’s parenting for me.”
3. Emphasize the Importance of the Talk-To-Do Ratio
While dreaming and visioning are important, they mean little without action. Being Mathew Knowles’ children, Beyoncé and Solange know all about the talk-to-do ratio—converting words into action.
They are not just talented artists but relentless workers who put in hours of hard work to achieve their dreams. Their success is a testament to the power of action-oriented goal-setting.
Teaching your children the importance of the talk-to-do ratio fosters a growth mindset. This gives you an actionable strategy to empower your children: encourage them to act on their words and dreams, thereby fostering their growth and success.
Mathew Knowles’ insight: “How much of what you say do you follow up on? That you actually implement? And that’s what talk-to-do, for me, is—you do what you say you’re going to do.
If I say I’m going to be here at 10:30, I’m here at 10:30. And if I’m not going to be here at 10:30, then I’m going to call and let you know. Just follow up. It’s part of it as well.”
Nurturing greatness
No doubt, raising your children for success requires conscious effort and nurturing. It involves supporting their passions, fostering their vision, and instilling the value of action.
Following the insights from Mathew Knowles’ approach to parenting can equip your children for a fulfilling life, reminiscent of the successes achieved by Beyoncé and Solange.
His philosophy aligns with the teachings of Dr. Shefali Tsabary’s Conscious Parenting Mastery Quest on Mindvalley. This program dives deeper into the tenets of raising confident, empowered children, spotlighting the vital role of mindful and conscious parenting.
“When you parent, it’s crucial you realize you aren’t raising a ‘mini me,’” says Dr. Shefali, “but a spirit throbbing with its own signature.”
To get a taste of the Quest, you can watch an online class for free. You may just find out how important it is to tailor your parenting to your child’s needs rather than molding them to fit your needs.
The thing is, the goal of parenting shouldn’t be to raise perfect children. It should be to foster their growth into the best versions of themselves.
Welcome in.
