Leaving the World a Better Place Than We Found It

I (undoubtedly, like you) have had many sleepless nights, as I’ve worried for friends, colleagues, and others who are recently out of work at this uncertain and challenging time. The events of the past six weeks (global pandemic) have given me cause to slow down and re-focus on what matters most. Now, more than ever, I am grateful for my faith, family, friends, personal relationships, hope, work, health, strength, the value of diversity, and the opportunity to help vulnerable individuals and families through Senior Living Sales Management. I’ve thought of words originally voiced in my talk given, Summer 2010 - BYU Marriott School of Management Graduation Convocation (following another challenging time in the history of our country – a financial crisis), and share my recommitment to do more, and ensure a bright future!

Leaving the World a Better Place Than We Found It

Talk by Robyn Childs, August 13, 2010

Dear Graduates & Colleagues, esteemed Faculty Members, Family and Friends,

I am thrilled and very grateful to have the opportunity to be here with you. With this long-anticipated event, we may share a mix of emotions. For me, as for you, this graduation convocation is the culmination of years of work to fulfill a personal goal, (and for me) a dream that spanned, literally, decades!

Just about a month, ago, our class received an e-mail sent from our Program Director, Tad Brinkerhoff. He reminded us of our Leadership Course experience at Camp Williams, two years, ago. He was enlisting our help as facilitators for the Course, for the new class of 2012.

I quickly took a look at my full calendar for that date – and, was nearly ready to click out of the e-mail, to go on to the next… when, into my mind rang the words, “Enter to learn, Go forth to serve.”

Here was my opportunity to begin the process...

 As it took a couple of days for me to clear my calendar, I had occasion to re-live those first days in the EMBA program, and, Residency week on the Provo Campus of BYU...

It had been – years - since I completed my undergrad experience, at a rival (very red) university – up north. I had incredible parents, and, they taught their children the value of life-long learning. As I embarked on this next phase of my life, I felt an (almost) insatiable appetite to continue to learn, and, I have had a VERY DISTINCT sense that the “clock is ticking.” 

I could barely sleep for the two weeks prior to the start of that first Residency week. As a non-traditional student, I was very excited to start…but, I was filled with fear, and, nearly, panic, at the thought of participating with my new classmates (most – much younger than me). But, as we shared experiences on the Leadership Course at Camp Williams, very quickly, my fears were replaced by a new-found sense of accomplishment and confidence. This new growth came from team support, personal commitment, and, the experience of new and complex learning.

This new learning came just in time, to prepare me for another new experience. On day 4 of Residency week, we took a day trip down to Milford, Utah, and Circle 4 Farms, (a top U.S. Hog Producer and Utah, “Best-of-State” recipient). This was an opportunity to travel together, to study and learn about operational excellence. The females in the audience may have a greater understanding of my trepidation, when I learned that upon entering and leaving the Circle 4 premises, we would proceed through a de-contamination zone and process, with a requirement that we shower, wash our hair, and, remove all makeup. I would have the opportunity to spend the day with my brilliant new classmates – with wet hair and no make-up, in coveralls and oversized rubber boots. Thrilling! And, very humbling!

But, that day at Circle 4 farms, two years, ago, would be one of the greatest learning experiences of this program, for me. It was the beginning of a personal cleansing and educational learning process that, course-by-course, and case-by-case, would serve to instill within me the confidence and knowledge I need, along with my faith, to remove all hurdles and unforeseen barriers to personal success.

Alvin Toffler (a great thinker) said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those that cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”

 I was compelled to enter this program, with the need, in some ways, to unlearn, and relearn. It became evident to me, very quickly – that I CAN continue to learn, and that my learning opportunities are endless. I was able to experience a new-found sense of my personal strength, and I found my stride in the program. As I sat in class, had opportunities to work with teammates, prepared final projects, and, took final exams, time-and-time, again, I felt adrenalin rush through me, as I realized, “Yes, I truly DO KNOW THE ANSWERS,” or, in the event that I didn’t know, “I learned where to FIND THE ANSWERS.”

Thank you, skilled faculty members, for your support, care and training to prepare us for what lies ahead!

John DeGraff said, “In the end, our effectiveness as leaders will be determined by our ability to make ourselves, our organizations and communities, better and new.”

In his book, Essential Gospel Principles, Richard J. Allen reminds us of the perfect organizational example, “In the space of only three years the Savior put in place a dynamic, empowered, and orderly institution that bore the signature of divine perfection. It was complex yet unified, domestic in its outreach yet authorized directly by Deity, designed for the everyday yet governed by keys extending to heaven.”

We are all needed to work together to bless and serve one another. I could not finish, today, without acknowledging and expressing my gratitude to my teammates. Through the team environment we have all had valuable opportunities to learn, to grow, and to contribute through shared experiences, which have included joys, as well as sorrows. 

Thank you, teammates for your support, your friendship, and for your fine examples. 

Toffler explains, "Society needs people who take care of the elderly and who know how to be compassionate and honest. Society needs people who work in hospitals. Society needs all kinds of skills that are not just cognitive; they're emotional, they're affectional. You can't run the society on data and computers alone."

Thank you, dear families and friends for your love, your support, and your sacrifice as we have worked to complete our studies. Along with our learning, our love and appreciation for you has grown. 

Marc Freedman of the Washington Post wrote, “(baby) boomers can capitalize on longer working lives to go beyond their own narrow needs, and get down to some of their most significant work and leave the world a better place than they found it.”

You, like me, may feel as though a new door has opened, and, I am entering the most exciting new chapter of my life. I have a new-found commitment to be better, work smarter, continue to grow personally and, to help other people to grow. 

Why did I embark on this journey to complete this program? Great insight comes from Frederick Herzberg, who asserts that the powerful motivator in our lives isn’t money: it’s the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities, contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements.

I still don’t have all of the answers…but, I know that over the past two years, I have found my “better self,” and, I want to continue on the path to find my “best self.” I have gained tools and resources to (not only) become a better business partner, employer and employee, but, a better friend, a better daughter, a better wife, and, a better mother.

Professor Clayton Christensen was invited to address the Harvard Business School Class of 2010. His remarks were recently published in the Harvard Business Review, titled, “How Will You Measure Your Life?” He expressed, “Management is the most noble of professions if it’s practiced well. No other occupation offers as many ways to help others learn and grow, take responsibility and be recognized for achievement, and contribute to the success of a team. More and more MBA students come to school thinking that a career in business means buying, selling, and investing in companies. That’s unfortunate. Doing deals doesn’t yield the deep rewards that come from building up people.” 

Professor Christensen continues, “I’ve concluded that the metric by which God will assess my life isn’t dollars but the individual people whose lives I’ve touched.”

He concludes, “I think that’s the way it will work for us all. Don’t worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people. This is my final recommendation: Think about the metric by which your life will be judged, and make a resolution to live every day so that in the end, your life will be judged a success.”

In closing, today, on behalf of The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Management Class of 2010, may I express our gratitude to all who have helped and guided us, on our path to graduation from this exceptional University. We express our thanks to our fine Faculty, our Families and Friends, who have prepared, sacrificed and supported us, and, particularly, we express our gratitude to our Father-in-Heaven, and our older brother, Jesus Christ, who is our perfect example, and, has made this experience possible. We have been given an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study and learn, and to grow, together. For me, this has been such a pleasure, far beyond my greatest expectations! Now, it is our time to “give back.” Please join with me in a personal commitment to fulfill the obligation that has come with this outstanding opportunity. 

These things I leave with you, today, with heartfelt gratitude, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.