It’s
one of the greatest rights of passage and a cause for celebration! It’s
also that time when people we all know and some we have never heard of step to
the podium and dispense wisdom and advice.
Without
question, some of this advice will be especially meaningful. In particular, consider Steve
Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech("Connect the Dots") at Stanford University and
Randy Pausch’s 2008 address ("We don't beat the reaper by living longer. We beat the reaper by
living well.") at
Carnegie Mellon University.
This year, however,
my favorite so far is Maria Shriver. Take a look.
While I
have never been invited to give a commencement address, I have been asked for advice
by both my students and young professionals.
Here is a synopsis of what I say:
1.
The real key to success is not smarts. It comes from drive, energy, passion,
ambition, enthusiasm, excitement, initiative, discipline, and the confidence to
keep trying again and again.
2.
Don’t worry about what to do with the rest of your life. Like everyone else,
you will be a different person five years from now. Instead, think about what you
want to do with the next three years. Most careers are a logical progression and
in many cases, a series of unplanned, opportunistic choices.
3. Relationships
are important. In a romantic partner, looks are nice, brains are nice and money
is nice, but character is essential. Ultimately, the same is true in all our relationships:
character is the most important thing you should look for in friends, partners
of any kind, employees, clients or bosses.
4. The worst
thing you can do if you want to get somebody to listen to you is to criticize.
As human beings, when attacked we attack back, even when we are wrong. The goal
is not to be “right”, the goal is to build a relationship.
