The Graduation Commencement Speech I Never Expected to Give

The past few months working from home have made me realize how much my family and work life are intertwined and how life lessons can benefit work and vice versa.

Like many others, my son Ethan graduated from high school during this pandemic. His experience reminds me why #stayfluid is a core W2O value. Those graduating now, like Ethan, are learning early in life how important flexibility and adaptability are for success.

They say when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. We didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to celebrate their hard work, achievement and friendship. My wife Audra Weiss and our friend Chri?tin? Bl?ir T?ber, planned an amazing graduation for Ethan and his friends that may have been more fun, memorable and impactful than the official graduation that was curtailed due to the coronavirus. I was honored and privileged to give the commencement address, which you can read below.

For today’s commencement speech, I’m going to share quotes from famous people that you might take with you on this next phase of growth and evolution in your life. I’ll start with one from Nelson Mandela: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world.’

This seemed like the right place to begin in light of what today and this week is all about for you and the sea change this tumultuous year of 2020 represents: Kobe’s helicopter crash, a global pandemic, economic collapse, a race revolution and reckoning. And it’s only June.

You’ve dealt with Zoom schooling, no sports to follow, and curtailed social lives like no other generation ever has. Ok, you didn’t have to go to war to fight, but you’re also going to be tougher and more prepared than most generations for anything – and certainly for the digital age that’s upon us.

Another quote, this one from one of the founding fathers and innovators of our country Ben Franklin: ‘An investment in knowledge always pays interest.’ Never stop being curious or learning.

My mom used to say to me: ‘When you think you’ve arrived and know everything and that you’re better and smarter than everyone else, it’s time to leave’.

The next quote I chose is from an innovator more from my generation that set the table for all we do now. ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.’ That was from Steve Jobs.

And here’s one from the world’s greatest soccer player, which feels appropriate given this group, ‘Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.’ That was Pele.

My favorite quote along these lines and the one that has always guided me is this one from Thomas Edison: ‘Vision without execution is hallucination.’

What do all these quotes mean? It means ALWAYS do what you say you’re going to do. Follow through on your commitments, deliver and you can’t go wrong. It’s the fundamental cornerstone of my own business, which has grown from the basement of my loft 20 years ago in San Francisco to now with nearly 1,500 people and growing. It was and always will be about Making It Happen!

Just a few more quotes now…

‘I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.’

‘Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid,’ from Albert Einstein.

I’m not quite sure what that one means exactly but I figured I had to have a fish quote today given Ethan’s obsession and passion with fly fishing.

But what all these mean essentially is that nothing beats hard work. No amount of BS will get you by or substitute for it. And there are many ways to succeed. Finally, a final quote to finish up here and send you on your way in what feels like uncertain times – words from Maya Angelou which seem appropriate after the past few week of protests and unrest.

‘Open your eyes to the beauty around you

Open your mind to the wonders of life

Open your heart to those who love you

And always be true to yourself.’

I know I speak for all of us here today that we are going to miss the hell out of you. But we are also going to be glad you are gone. You can’t make it out there without keeping the ties that bind you back here with family and friends alive and well. Now, you need to go out and make new relationships. There is strength in numbers and in community. Without good people in your life, all the rest is meaningless. We’re always #BetterTogether. So just one more quote to end on here:

‘Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good!’

We need that mindset and intent more than ever. Here’s to you and your amazing families on what you have accomplished and what you have yet to accomplish. The best is yet to come.”

Congrats to all the parents and grads of the Class of 2020 – a year that will live in infamy!