Chasing Your Dreams

There has been enough bad news of late, I thought you may appreciate something that is a little more upbeat.

As I scan my LinkedIn feed every year at this time, I am awestruck by the next generation that checks the boxes, passes the tests, does the works, and flips the tassel. Such was the case for my first-born, Trippe, who graduated from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. He completed the first part of his educational journey with a number of his classmates with whom he has been learning since those first days of Kindergarten just thirteen years ago. As I was a little older than most first-time Dads when Trippe was born, I have had the occasion to hear many commencement addresses over my lifetime. Some speeches have been lodged in my brain because of who was delivering them, others because of a pearl of wisdom that was extolled in the form of a life lesson, and true some were duds. I think we can all relate.

Last night's ceremony will stick with me for the rest of my lifetime. No, not because my son received his diploma and is ready for the next chapter at college. Not because my lightweight linen summer suit suffered through a deluge just before the ceremony took place. No, this one will stick with me because of the life lesson shared by Mr. Joe Gebbia, one of the founders of Airbnb and the head of their design studio and non-profit organization. Pivotal to the story is that he sat on that very same football field and received his diploma from BHS in 2000. He talked about how Airbnb came along and articulated a story that I had not heard before about one of the greatest senior pranks ever executed (and nearly cost him his diploma).

In short, after striking out with plan after plan with nearly three weeks of school left before the big day, he was unsure he'd realize the outcome of a dream since freshman year. Then an opportunity came in the most side-stepped way, he learned that the PA system at the school was coded by pressing "#00" on a handset. His plan crystalized and shortly before graduation day he executed the perfect plan, commandeering the PA system and broadcasting Alice Cooper and Pink Floyd songs that were appropriate for end-of-year chaos. This did not come without risk and he was caught. After being berated and threatened, a veteran school resource officer of some twenty years confided in him that this was the best prank ever. Mr. Gebbia even told the class that MTV featured it at some point afterward. As no one was injured and there was no property damage, the administration swallowed their pride and let him transcend the stage.

Mr. Gebbia drew parallels between this prank and his earlier points on the formation of Airbnb and challenged the class to chase their dreams. He shared the outline which I am sharing for my LinkedIn connections, as captured by the school, for I think we can all take away something from last night.

1. Set goals.

2. Put trust in people.

3. Don't let fear or uncertainty diminish your dreams.

4. Quit quitting.

5. Don't settle for anything less than originality.

6. Press #00.

7. Take a risk. The greater risk is not taking a risk.

With that, in closing, he did something else that is getting the attention of the media today which is to gift each and every graduate of Brookwood's class of 2022 twenty-two (22) shares of his stock in Airbnb. He expressed that he wants his dream to be one than enables their dreams. Doing some math with my iPhone last night in the stadium I realized that each kid is receiving a dream valued in excess of $2,400 (based on last night's market close), and then did the math for the 857 graduates to realize the total gift equates to approximately $2.1M. This is on top of an already sizable endowment to the school's Visual Arts program and Cross Country team (which my younger son will benefit from) last fall.

I saw with my own eyes dreams take shape. I saw a venerable industry titan come home and do good. I heard the hush of the crowd and then the exalted cheer with news of the gift. I heard a commencement speech that will stay with me for the rest of my life even though I may not have been the intended recipient. I saw the future and it looks great. Thank you, Mr. Gebbia. Your kindness and generosity are just what this class, this community, and certainly this Dad needed to see. I started goal-setting again this morning.

#airbnb #goals #dreams #classof2022 #followthrough