Class of 2021: Turn Your Tassels, But Class is Still in Session

Each year, when commencement season arrives, I find myself thinking back fondly to my own college graduation. It was such a great day, filled with fanfare, family and friends. It honestly feels like yesterday, but fast forward more than 30 years and now I have a daughter in college.

An interesting thing happened to me during those heady months leading up to my graduation. Like all college seniors, I was intent on figuring out what came next as the clock was quickly ticking down. For some of my classmates that meant heading off to graduate school. For the majority of us, it meant finding a job.

I took advantage of the on-campus career center and, in fairly short order, had lined up interviews with a number of companies. I arrived at these meetings in a suit, purchased by my parents, with the express hope that it would land me a job. I was punctual, polite and prepared. Like most newly minted college graduates, I had a healthy level of confidence in my education and my abilities – I believed that I could do anything.

A few weeks after the round of interviews, the letters arrived (yes, this was that long ago) informing me which organizations wanted to bring me on board. Of the companies that I interviewed with, I was delighted that most of them were prepared to make me an offer. Only one company graciously said no, and – as fate would have it – that company was Marriott.

I was deeply disappointed by that rejection. I knew that Marriott was the company leading the industry and I wanted to be a part of its future. I didn’t spend time dwelling on the outcome or trying to understand why I hadn’t gotten the nod from one of the most respected companies in the industry. I moved on and started my career in hospitality.

During those early days of my career, I had the opportunity to meet a number of Marriott associates and executives. I read about Bill Marriott, then Chairman and CEO of the company, and his personal philosophy on humility. I was impressed that Mr. Marriott, with his iconic family story and achievements, was approachable and open to new ideas, contrary views and bold change. This man was a titan in business, yet he was known for listening more than talking – which, if I am being honest – was a foreign concept for that 21-year-old who interviewed for a job at Marriott just a few years earlier.

In 1995, a position opened on Marriott’s Market Planning and Feasibility team. It sounded like a great opportunity and I believed that my experience – at that point eight years working in hospitality consulting – would be a good fit for the role. This time, I approached the interview a little differently – because I was different. Being out in the working world had seasoned me. I had grown in professional maturity and, importantly, had acquired perspective. I still was confident, but I carried it more quietly. I was more interested in hearing what the hiring manager had to say than on making sure I detailed every one of my professional achievements.

When the call came with an offer, I was thrilled. I recognized that this was a significant moment. I joined Marriott that winter, grateful for the opportunity to continue to build my career at this amazing company. Over the course of the ensuing 26 years, I have had many opportunities to see Bill Marriott in action. He is truly brilliant at identifying opportunities and solving problems by asking questions and listening. He is the embodiment of values-driven leadership – something people talk a lot about, but rarely achieve.

This past February, Marriott’s incredible leader, Arne Sorenson passed away. The loss was profound for everyone. Like companies must do, ours has soldiered on and part of that process included the appointment of a new leadership team. Another Marriott interview was in front of me – this time for the role of CEO. Part of what I shared in that interview with the Board of Directors was what I had learned thus far: Marriott’s culture is the bedrock of our company and, without a doubt, the CEO must be a steward of that culture.

It has been the honor of my lifetime to be appointed CEO of Marriott. I know I have big shoes to fill – certainly Arne’s, but also those of the two CEOs who preceded him – Bill Marriott and J.W. Marriott, Sr. What will guide me will be the hallmark of each of their tenures: humility. If I could go back and tell my 21-year-old self anything, it would be to actively practice humility, be determined and always keep listening and learning.

To the Class of 2021, I recognize that your plans for post-graduation life have likely been turned upside down by COVID-19. It would be easy and understandable to be discouraged; instead, I urge you to be determined and keep learning. The resilience you have honed during the last 15 months of a global pandemic will serve you well in life. The path ahead may be different than you planned, and have unexpected detours, but it is in all of these moments – the good and the challenging – that we learn and grow.

You may have turned your tassel, but class is still in session.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!