"Are We There Yet?" Commencement Speech Address

I recently had the great honor of going back to my alma mater at the University of Texas in Austin to give the commencement speech to the McCombs School of Business Class of 2017. I was humbled to share my ideas of leadership with these graduates, who will become the leaders of tomorrow. Below you can read a transcript of my remarks.

University of Texas 2017 Commencement

McCombs School of Business 100th Anniversary

“ARE WE THERE YET?”

Thank you, Dean Hartzell. Good morning! What a spectacular day. To the Regents, the faculty, distinguished guests, parents, and students, I am honored to be here today. 

To our students, years from now, you won’t remember what I say. Heck, you won’t remember tomorrow! Please know, if nothing else, I am very, very proud of you.

And, to the parents, I know what a special day this is for you. Without your commitment, sacrifice, and love, this wouldn’t happen. Congratulations on your special day. It is a joy to celebrate all of you.

Whenever I come here, and especially today celebrating the Business School’s first century, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the University of Texas, one of the best in the world, and the faculty & staff, which is the best in the world. You deserve our thanks and praise!

Forty years ago this month, my wife, Carol and I graduated from UT. I think I love the University of Texas more today than I did 40 years ago. To be an alumnus is a source of tremendous pride and joy. Standing here today, I’m reminded, again, how grateful I am for all the gifts I’ve received in my life, starting with the University of Texas.

This morning, I want to briefly share some ideas about leadership that are important to me. I intend them as a gift for you. Because today, it’s all about you. This is one of the finest business schools in the country. You wouldn’t have been admitted here unless you are truly gifted. You wouldn’t be graduating today unless, in addition to your gifts, you worked hard and achieved. And, you should enjoy the moment. But, you should also be quivering with excitement. Today is a commencement, a beginning. It is a step in a journey – a long, glorious journey.

Carol and I have two grown daughters, and every summer when they were growing up, we vacationed at the beautiful beaches in Florida’s panhandle. Every year we drove (Southwest didn’t fly there at the time!). It’s over 700 miles and takes a good 12 hours. The girls asked me every ten miles, “Are we there, yet? Are we there, yet?”

We are all impatient. We all want to get to the destination.

Over time, I found I was interested in the journey. The precious chance to talk to my wife; listen to forgotten music; view the Atchafalaya swamp; marvel at the great southern pine forests through Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and finally, Florida. I enjoyed the journey.

Yes, you need to have a destination in mind. There’s a story about a farmer, riding in his tractor, pulling a plow, and plowing his fields in perfectly straight rows, without any technological aides. With him in the cab is his young grandson – astute enough to see how perfect his grandfather’s rows were. So, he asked, “grandpa, how do you make each row so straight?” Grandpa answered, “I pick out a faraway point on the horizon, and I aim for that point.” 

“All roads lead nowhere if you don’t know where you’re going.” Of course, your destination may very well change, maybe multiple times. Keep your eye on your destination, and enjoy the journey.

At one of my daughter’s college commencement years ago, the valedictorian remarked philosophically that he was but a speck in the universe and insignificant. I couldn’t disagree more.

You are important. You have tremendous gifts that the vast majority of people do not have.  And, “to those whom much is given, much is expected.” What you decide to do over the next 40 to 50 years really matters. You will influence and affect thousands of people in that time. You have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of the people you touch. Just as “George Bailey” learned in the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” every life is precious, and every life affects dozens of others. As UT boldly states “What starts here changes the world.” They’re talking about you.

Your chosen world is business. Jim Collins writes in his book, “Good to Great” that in order to be successful in business, you need three things:

1.    To be passionate about what you do

2.    To be the “best in the world” at what you do

3.    To make money

Passionate. Best. Profitable.

What can you do that the world just can’t live without? At Southwest, we call this “the cause.” You must have a Purpose – whether you’re making toilets, or rockets to the moon – you must have a cause.

Let’s take Southwest Airlines, in reverse order:

·        First, we make money. We lead the industry in profitability. 44 consecutive years of profits, in an industry infamous for bankruptcy and financial failure.

·        Second, we’re really good at what we do. We have a great business model – we invented the low-cost/low-fare airline: with high asset productivity and highly-motivated employees. We are famous for running an efficient, reliable, on-time operation with an all-Boeing 737 fleet. We are famous for low fares with no baggage or change fees. And, we have an award-winning brand for customer service, famous for our friendly hospitality. Great service at the lowest price is an unbeatable competitive advantage.

·        Third, we’re really passionate about what we do. Yesterday, a grandmother flew to see her grandchild for the first time. Yesterday, a candidate flew to interview for his first job out of college. Yesterday, a Soldier who had been deployed to Afghanistan for six months, flew home to see his family; yesterday, a love-struck guy flew to see his girlfriend; yesterday, a daughter flew home to pay her final respects to her father who had passed away. Yesterday, a lot of moms and dads, and aunts and uncles, flew to Austin for graduation. Southwest democratized the skies. We made flying affordable for everyone. We gave America the freedom to fly. Everyone is important, every seat has a story, and there is no second class.

We exist to connect people to what’s important in their lives with friendly, reliable, low cost air travel. That’s our cause. Profits are important, but the cause is the inspiration.

Last year, we flew 125 million customers, the most of any U.S. airline. It took over 50,000 employees to serve those customers, operating one of the world’s largest fleets of over 700 aircraft. a $20 billion company like that demands two things:

• Leadership
• Teamwork

They go hand in hand.

Business is the ultimate team sport. Everyone here wants to see the Texas Longhorns win championships. If I could be so bold as to offer you some advice, and boil it down to just one thing, it would be to become part of a great team, a champion. No one here will ever, in your life, be independent. Everyone is part of a team, in one form or fashion. No one here wants to be a part of a losing team. At Southwest, we call ourselves a family, but it’s a Team. A team that’s stuck together through wins and losses. Probably the only Fortune 500 Company to never have a layoff. You can get paid all the money in the world, but if you don’t believe in what you’re doing, if you don’t respect, admire, and like your team-mates, you will be miserable. Find a great team.

Further, with all your gifts, you can do more. Answer the call. Go All-In! Be a leader. You are already leaders in many respects, and many of you aspire to that role. People may be born with the desire to be a leader, but I can assure you, no one is born with all the skills. They must be learned. Find yourself a great mentor. Be humble, and be hungry to learn throughout your journey - especially about leadership. And, know that all strong leaders possess five vital traits.

• They have character
• They have courage
• They are competent
• They are Communicators
• They care

I’m going to focus on that last trait: care. To be a leader, you have to care about everything; you have to feel it – vision; quality; innovation; talent; customers; profits; shareholders; and employees – especially your employees; your people.

Years ago, we assembled a panel of front line Southwest employees to address our leadership, they had served our country in the Iraq War.

We asked them to describe what great leadership looked like. Not one of them told tales of how smart their leaders were. To a soldier, their heroes were the ones who cared about them – as human beings. Their leaders worked them hard and sent them into battle! Yet, these Soldiers knew, without a doubt, that their leaders cared for each soldier’s total well-being. People want to know you care before they care about what you know. Somehow, some way, you have to convince people you care about them. And, in turn, your people will be ready to help you win the many battles you will face.

What this means is, leaders exist to serve their people – not the other way around. And, leaders set the tone – good or bad. During your lifetimes, our society has gotten less civil, and more coarse.

Whether it’s the media, social media, or politics, there is a pervasive lack of respect, much less courtesy. Companies, and teams within companies, can begin to reverse this ugly trend - with leadership. Live and lead by the Golden Rule. Make sure, in addition to working hard and getting results, that you treat everyone with respect. Be positive, be optimistic, and make civility a priority because you’ll find the really hard challenge in your upcoming journey is not the task – it’s the people. Inspire, recognize, appreciate, and love your people. That’s how you make a team – built on love and trust – not fear.

• Be passionate
• Believe in your cause
• Be part of a great team
• Be a servant leader, who stands for civility and respect
• Most of all, enjoy the journey

Congratulations to all of you, and…

Hook ’em Horns!