"be BOLD - No Easy Roads" - a Keynote for UC Irvine's 2021 Homecoming Celebration

I've been asked to give the keynote speech at UC Irvine's Homecoming this year on February 27. The theme is 'be BOLD 2.1 - No Easy Roads,' so they wanted an alum who'd been hit by cars on the road lot, in case you are wondering how I came by this honor.

The fun of being engaged in this isn't just because I get to look back on the most edifying and entertaining few years of my life at UCI, but that I am challenged with speaking convincingly to both the new students coming in, as well as their parents and the faculty. (Thus the challenge of making it accessibly PG.)

In short, UCI, like many excellent academic institutions, is a brilliant microcosm of what the world has on offer, allowing those with gumption the pursuit of any number of compelling and enriching avenues for self discovery, all of which lead to future roundabouts of larger opportunities (and those too lead to even more choices for fulfillment and growth.) UCI, afforded me, a small, asthmatic geek, so many avenues for growth, self expression and self discovery, it's hard for me to imagine any other institution with such onramps to transformation.

I've broken my presentation into three interlocking themes, which I think will be music to the ears of most the students, faculty, and parents. The first is Growth, which I use metaphorically and otherwise to explain something that should always be a part of lives, not just in school; the never-ending mindset of being a Student.

The second is Setbacks. No Easy Roads means there will be plenty of setbacks, which can be valleys that seem too daunting to endure. The upside of finding yourself in one of these valleys, though, is the knowledge that once you’ve reached the bottom, you can begin to climb back up again. Usually, the fear of suffering a setback is worse than the consequences that actually accompany it. Setbacks are the opportunities to manifest greatness.

The third is Boldness. Don't wait for the world to figure out what you have to offer. Let us know in all that you do, what you share, how you build things and what's important to you. Project the Boldness the world would love to celebrate with and in you.

Sure, there will be plenty of detractors, but the best people, like the best brands, just can't be relevant to every one out there. Being different to others or competitors, and demonstrating how you are different is important but even so, you can’t appeal to everyone and nor should you try to. It’s true – your personal or company brand can’t ‘be’ for everyone. If you try to be everything to everyone, you’ll end up being nothing to no-one. Instead, be boldly committed to what is most your own and those that believe the same things you do will rejoice.

FINALLY, like everyone else, my road to self discovery started with a violent breaking down of a door, a kidnapping, survival, an epiphany, and the inspiration to bring justice to those who perpetrated the crime. I share that anecdote and a few more to ensure no one falls asleep.

You can see the commercial here!

#boldness #growth #leadership #persistence #marketing #education #UCI