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A.E Housman : The thoughts of others Were light & fleeting , Of livers’ meeting Or Luck or fame. Mine were of trouble, And mine were steady; So I was ready When trouble came Charlie Munger : The Highest form that civilization can Reach is a Seamless Web of Deserved Trust Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not simply a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are beyond our control; he argues that we should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. The philosophy of Epictetus is intensely practical. He directs his students to focus attention on their opinions, anxieties, passions, and desires, so that "they may never fail to get what they desire, nor fall into what they avoid." True education lies in learning to distinguish what is our own from what does not belong to us, and in learning to correctly assent or dissent to external impressions. The purpose of his teaching was to make people free and happy.

I saw this post, I recalled some of the best commencement speeches that stick with me. My own was given in 1996, when I graduated from management studies at the University of Manitoba, by Dave Angus, then President of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. It was about human potential and not setting limiting beliefs. The 1997 hypothetical commencement speech written by Mary Schmich but made famous by @Baz Luhrmann, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)", also known as "The Sunscreen Song. There is some great advice I still dispense today to others, my favourite is "that some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't know what they want to be in life." In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven's commencement speech at the University of Texas often called the “Make Your Bed” speech. Start your day by doing one thing successfully, even if that is making your bed. Two recent ones that have caught my mind space; In 2023, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's speech at Northwestern University entitled Would an Idiot Do That caught my attention because of how he spoke about those who deal in cruelty and ignorance. Finally, Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girl's Can Code, delivered the 2023 commencement speech at Smith's College, which is referred to as the Bicycle Face speech. In it, she dispels Imposter Syndrome in the same way that the historically malady Bicycle Face was used to hold women back. For my speech, I would use the theme of Acceptance without Understanding™. So much in life can be overcome so that we all coexist together, even though we don't understand. It's not about agreeing or tolerating either. Like the famous TED talks, which are not on my bucket list as a speaker, neither is giving a commencement speech. If asked, I would say yes to both! #acceptancewithoutunderstanding #acceptanceforall2050

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Institutional courage - a notable speech Dr. Jennifer Freyd is a renowned researcher and expert on interpersonal and institutional betrayal trauma and sexual violence and discrimination within institutional settings. Dr Freyd introduced the term "DARVO" near the end of a 1997 publication about her primary research focus, "betrayal trauma theory." DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—a perpetrator strategy and is now recognised in any credible sexual harassment investigation. DARVO is described as a ‘tactic typically observed in instances of sexual misconduct (from mild to violent), where the resolution of “he said/she said” scenarios still often depends solely on the victim’s credibility’. In her speech below she describes an incident of institutional betrayal and the lack of institutional courage - an all too common phenomenon. She states, ‘Institutional courage involves institutions acting with accountability, with transparency, actively seeking justice, and making changes where needed despite unpleasantness, risk, and short-term costs.’ Read the rest of Jennifer Freyd’s commencement address below.

Jerry Seinfeld delivered a wildly entertaining commencement speech at Duke, blending humor with insightful advice on May 12, 2024. Commencement Speech Link: https://lnkd.in/gpyUDGfc Notes:   He joked about Duke’s eagerness to cycle through students but offered genuine wisdom on finding direction post-college. His main message: don't obsess over finding your passion; just work hard at what you do well.   Seinfeld emphasized three keys to success: effort, attention, and love. He urged graduates to make a serious effort in whatever they do, even if they feel lost. “Just swing the bat and pray,” he advised, stressing that hustle and hard work are essential.   Drawing from his early days as a struggling comedian, Seinfeld highlighted the importance of a strong work ethic. He shared how he survived on minimal resources and focused on being just funny enough to get by. His message was clear: work is not a grind but a wonderful part of life to be embraced.   On love, Seinfeld suggested falling in love with everything, even mundane objects, to find joy in the smallest details. He defended the concept of “privilege,” encouraging graduates to own their accomplishments while humorously critiquing the rise of AI.   Finally, Seinfeld urged graduates to maintain their sense of humor as a survival tool for life's complexities. He advised pursuing jobs they find "cool," over chasing money, and argued that feeling lost could lead to exciting surprises. His practical yet humorous approach left graduates feeling empowered: work hard, embrace awkwardness, and keep laughing.   Some of the key sights from his address:   1/15 "Life is hard. But it's supposed to be. That's how you know you're alive." 2/15 "Find the fun in every challenge, and you'll never lose your sense of humor." 3/15 "Success is about doing what you love, not about the accolades." 4/15 "Every experience, good or bad, is a tool for building your future." 5/15 "Adaptability is key. The only constant is change." 6/15 "Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you." 7/15 "Curiosity fuels creativity. Never stop asking questions." 8/15 "Your unique perspective is your greatest asset. Use it to make the world better." 9/15 "Communication is the most important skill you can develop." 10/15 "Setbacks are inevitable. Learn from them and move forward." 11/15 "Personal growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone." 12/15 "Value your time. It's the most precious resource you have." 13/15 "Optimism is a choice. Choose to see the possibilities." 14/15 "Mental and physical health are intertwined. Take care of both." 15/15 "Believe in yourself. Confidence is the foundation of success."

Another great commencement speech giving major Seaker vibes. I especially appreciate his comment that the best way forward through problems is: 1) Be an Active Listener 2) Engage in Courageous Dialog 3) Assume Positive Intent Great advice that reflects what it means a Seaker and work with The Seaker Group Seak on Danny Meyer! #strategicgrowth #growthmindset #cre #restauarants

People like Ben Kessler (2006 Tommie of the Year and UST student commencement speaker) and Harrison Butker will always exist somewhere in the dark corners of society that we like to pretend don't exist. You've likely heard Butker's speech or at least the outcry from it. You likely haven't heard Kessler's speech... which can be found here - it is triggering, and you can audibly hear cursing from the audience, FYI. This is what Chrissi Johnson, Danielle Shaffer and so many of my friends had to endure at their own graduation, the year before mine. Devastation. https://lnkd.in/g6c7Aacr For every clown out there using the podium to rewind history back to the 1950's, there are folks more qualified and competent delivering hope from the podium like role models and friends Jim Obergefell and Sara Cunningham. You likely heard the speech in 2014 at The University of Texas at Austin by Admiral McRaven. Perhaps one of the most epic speeches ever given from an authority figure with integrity, conviction, hope, and inspiration. https://lnkd.in/g6c7Aacr I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to return to the University of St. Thomas and deliver my own commencement address at the graduating class of 2024's Lavender Graduation ceremony. Whoopi Goldberg, I agree with your take. We all have a voice, and we all need to use our voices to advocate for our beliefs. The way to fight fire sometimes is by using fire of our own. Rather than hate, we deliver acceptance. Rather than vitriol, we deliver hope. Rather than intolerance, we deliver a celebration of diversity. Rather than dwelling on the past, we look to the future. I attempted to do this in my own way. You can hear those comments here: https://lnkd.in/ga7pnN8e

Join me in an enlightening conversation with Thomas Tyner and Kelly Pan, both esteemed members of California State University - East Bay. Together, we delve deep into the nuances of global education, exploring the opportunities, challenges, and indispensable insights for students aspiring to embark on an international academic journey. Whether you're a prospective student, an academic professional, or simply passionate about global learning, this episode offers invaluable wisdom to guide you on your path to success. Tune in and let's unlock the secrets to thriving in a global academic landscape!

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.

Amy Edmondson, the first to define and present the value of psychological safety, offers 10 minutes of true wisdom to Columbia graduates (and all of us)! A few quotes that we should live by: -- "Psychological Safety is the permission to tell the truth" -- "Create a learning organization" -- "Make friends with failure" -- "Humility, curiosity, and empathy are the building blocks of Psychological Safety (and what we need to survive our changing world" I'm honored to be trained to bring psychological safety assessment and dialogue to teams and organizations through #thefearlessorganizationscan. Let's talk about how your team can be more creative, connected ... oh, and surpass higher goals! #psychologicalsafety #amyedmondson #teameffectiveness