Endure To Succeed

243 words, or a 1-minute read

As Spring reaches full bloom, it is time once again for graduation at our colleges and universities. 2022 commencement brought an array of headline names ranging from Judge Judy and Taylor Swift to President Biden and Jacinda Arden, New Zealand Prime Minister.

In scanning a collection of speeches, a recurring theme stood out of believing in yourself. Mary Barra, the first woman to lead a major auto company spoke at Duke University and referred to her parents’ belief in the American dream: “If you worked hard enough, got yourself an education, believed in yourself, you could achieve anything.”

Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State observed that the graduates of Southern Utah University had a special type of dedication to endure the challenges of the pandemic. She congratulated them for their perseverance and told them that they will know how to handle whatever lies ahead which is “a gift to know this early in your life.”

Advice from graduation speakers applies as well to leaders in the dynamic world of healthcare. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook told Gallaudet students that the only piece of advice that he would share with them was “whatever you do, lead with your values.”

U.S. Congressman James Clyburn (SC-7) encouraged graduates of Voorhees University to “…use good manners, practice the golden rule, and never give up.”

In these hyper partisan times, Congressman Clyburn had it right for all leaders.

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