Seven jewels of success by Robert F. Smith

Smith shared with Huston-Tillotson University’s 2014 graduating class insights into his business successes with advice based on his faith and upbringing. His seven jewels are:
1) Dream big;
2) solve challenging problems with elegant solutions;
3) be a student of history but don’t be bound by it;
4) follow your instincts;
5) Give people something that they can believe in;
6) you are enough; and
7) liberate the human spirit.

The many first generation graduates were encouraged to believe in their abilities and take the knowledge imparted by faculty to garner the “joys of figuring things” while accepting the blessings provided by HT. He shared lessons learned from history as a means of gaining knowledge from “leaders who took time to understand the world, behavior of people, the sentiments of the times, and strategies for success.” He further emphasized that graduates should capture their thoughts and inner voice in a journal and take risks. “One of the greatest things about being an American, is the opportunity to take risks.”

Watch Robert F. Smith's introduction speech: