Kimberly Eddleston’s Post

Brian Raines thoughtfully explains the continuing challenges faced by those of us who come to the profession from atypical circumstances. He also exemplifies the life-changing power of higher education. As we continue to grapple with the many challenges facing higher ed, it is essential to stay focused on stories like Brian's. I often wonder what the world would be like had we not spent most of human history excluding people from education and limiting their potential based on accidents of birth. While we will never know what we could have created, it is clear to me that destroying a system that in a very short time has created incredible intellectual capital, improved the human condition immensely, and overall made our world a better place is foolish. Yes, higher ed needs to be made better. We need to prioritize student success and support, we need to embrace meaningful intellectual diversity, we need to be better citizens of the spaces we occupy. However, there is no scenario in which those shortcomings warrant the wholesale destruction of the best system of education the world has ever known. Many of us on the inside know this and are fighting to protect one of our country's most valuable assets. Those of you on the outside need to join us in the fight. The world's most creative and successful economy was built on the foundation created by higher education. Destroy the foundation and the structure will crumble.

The final stretch is here! In her latest Impact post, 3L Kristie Hoang reflects on the valuable lessons, rewarding experiences, and occasional setbacks that this year's graduating class has faced--and why this class, after losing much of their senior year of undergrad to Covid, wants to celebrate in style. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ed7QSB9A

I've always had an interest in business and there are many misconceptions about how to succeed. What it comes down to at the end of the day, in terms of long term results, is to be a good human and put in the effort.

No matter what "They" say, life unfolds with twists and turns beyond your control. Yes, the job market is tough, but adversity is the key to happiness and success. If you disagree, read on. If you agree, read on! We need a figurative "punch to the face" to build resilience for the real business world. The corporate world doesn't care about your feelings. Losing isn't bad—embrace it! Adversity breeds strength. Embrace losing as an adventure. Believe in yourself, and you'll come out stronger and wiser. We can all win if we trust our instincts. Don't overvalue others' opinions. Live without regrets. Be kind, empathetic, and loving with yourself. What you do when awake determines how well you sleep. Nice people don't finish last. Delete that myth from your mind. Insecurity is exhausting. Authentic confidence drives success. Be yourself, always. Success should be met with humility and joy. Your self-esteem shouldn't come from your bank account or social media. It should come from those who truly know and love you for who you are.

The school year gets hectic, and it's easy to fall behind and hard to catch up. We get it! That's why we designed our summer programs: to instill good academic habits BEFORE school begins. Go to https://lnkd.in/gmw9m8_Z to learn more!

This is INSPIRATION ON STEROIDS with Gary Vaynerchuk. Watch it, and pay it forward to educate and inspire others to be better at business, and in life. So many valuable lessons in this address! #leadership #inspiration #watchthis #learning

Effective speech delivery can profoundly impact an audience by enhancing understanding, inspiring action, and fostering a deeper emotional connection. It transforms the presentation into an engaging and memorable experience, leaving a lasting impression. #management #ceo #leadership #marketing #humanresources #director

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to go back to 22 years old with the knowledge, skills and experience you have today and do it all again? I wish my graduation speech had given me the insights that Gary Vaynerchuk shares in this video. Some incredible advice for the youth of today, our business leaders of the future, and the titans of tomorrow. However, if you have a few more years under your belt already, there are still some great lessons to be had, you might just need to approach the ideas differently. Life is all about playing the game. We don't stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing. Don't worry about the score. As Gary says, the game does keep a score, but there is always someone with more "points" than you, so don't focus on that. Instead, focus on playing the game because you love it. You love the challenge it presents. You love how it brings out the best in you. You love the people you play the game with. It isn't the same to stand on the sidelines and admire those who are playing the game. Get stuck in, get your hands dirty, and get in the arena until your "face is marred by dust and sweat and blood". Yes, I know it is scary. Yes, you have an identity you have taken years to curate so that people know how you want to appear on the outside... ...but if it doesn't reflect what is on the inside, then maybe you shouldn't fight so hard to maintain the status quo. Thanks Gary for inspiring the youth to go out and do amazing things, and be fearless in how they approach the business world. Some of us "grown ups" also need to hear these lessons too :-) #successmindset #dowhatyoulove #whatareyouwaitingfor #starttoday

If the phrase 'Nice guys finish last.' Should be eliminated from language, why, after being a noce guy, and doi g the right thing for the people I work for (my employees...), have I kept losing? I work to enhance the abilities of the people I work with to think logically, to understand how to analyze problems, and see that simple aolutions often but bot always are the answer. Why then, has consistently being a nice guy, kept getting me punished for soing the right thing. I cannot do all my team does. We are, together, more than just the sum of our parts. We have to magnifiy the capabilities of each other... not by being an echo chamber, but my being disagreeable when it matters. I never punished anyone for having a difference of opinion. I only fault people for failing to take learning and growing seriously. If I have e er had to suggest improvements more than a few times, then you need to be worried. I do not suffer fools easily. I always give people the chance to learn and grow. But not recognizing that I am doing just that, and trying my best to help you be part of something bigger than all of us together, will be noticed and not recognized in a good way. But if you grow... learn... adapt... build... and healp each other, we will all be successful together. My skills are not measured by how well I remember last years technology... but rather by how well I can help you use last year's technology, to solve tomorrow's problems. That is what you need to succeed.

I wish you way more than luck. Graduation season - the time of year that school board directors shake a lot of graduating seniors' hands! The funny thing is, hardly any of the students or families have any idea who we are. The emotions, excitement, Elgar, and aspirations for the future fill the air - and long-winded speeches, well-meant advice, dramatic eye-rolling, and open-mouthed snoozing. It's ALL of the traditions of a graduation. Amid all the advice given to graduates, there is one commencement speech that I make sure to revisit annually - David Foster Wallace's famous "This is Water" speech.  Wallace's speech is a poignant reminder that true freedom and fulfillment come not from external achievements, but from cultivating awareness and conscious choice in how we think and experience the world around us. He challenges graduates to break free from the "default settings" of self-centeredness, automatic judgments, and unconscious blind spots that so often cause frustration and unhappiness. Instead, Wallace calls for continually exercising the difficult work of adjusting our natural defaults - looking for new perspectives, considering others' unseen struggles, and being present to the "capital-T Truth" that lies in the most mundane moments. As he states, "The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them...every day." If you haven't listened to or read "This is Water," I highly recommend it as a challenging yet inspiring call to live. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well! What commencement speeches or advice have stayed with you over the years? My second graduation reminder to myself is linked in the comments. https://lnkd.in/eXjvjbrY