There is no one route for someone to take that will make them the best parent. Mainly because there is no such thing as being the best parent. If you tried to close your eyes and imagine what the 'best' parent looks like, what would you see? It might differ depending on your location, ethnicity, generation, religion, etc. If you're going to go for the parenting gig, we recommend being very flexible with how you define your parenting style. Truthfully your methods will ultimately switch either way depending on the child you are parenting. Some kids require more strictness, and some require a more gentle approach. The same instruction or punishment for one child may not have the same impact as it would for another.
So, what advice do we have? Be yourself, listen to your kids, and make sure you have a golden sense of humor. Because so much of parenting is flat-out hilarious. It's just better to keep some parts of it light.