What would I tell the graduating class of 2025? This is something I write just about every year.
This year I put it out there as a “Question of the Day” on the WSAR Breakfast Club Morning Show.
First of all, my partner Scott Reiniche had a good line. I had to write it down so I wouldn’t forget it. (That seems to be happening more and more these days.) His comment was, “Don’t scroll your life away.” I’m sure he’s not the first person to suggest that but that was top-of-mind for him this week.
Just look around. You see it more and more. People don’t take the time to get to know someone new, they just immediately go to their phones if they have to wait for a ride, wait for their coffee, even when walking down the street. Now before my kids say, “Hey! You do it too!” I know and I’m trying to get better.
Some of the other comments we got from listeners included:
Be humble. For the ladder you climb and people you pass on the way up will be the very same people you will pass if you fail.
Be true to yourself, hold on to your values. Be a leader not a follower.
Walk into the room like you own it.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and if you do, learn from them.
Stay humble, have patience and don’t ever stop believing in yourself.
Talk less, say more. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Good thoughts.
To that I would add a few thoughts of my own.
Work harder than anyone else in your department. You’re not entitled to anything unless you earn it. However, do not neglect yourself or your family. I always thought that if I worked hard and made myself valuable the company would reward and promote me. That worked fine until a new company took over and realized they could save money with a newer person doing my job and suddenly those late hours, holidays and weekends I worked didn’t matter at all.
Never stop being a decent person. Sure being the top salesperson or having the best ratings is cool but if you are a terrible person, who cares? When you meet someone who is successful AND a great person… THAT’S a terrific combination.
Never toss anyone aside. You can learn a lot from your veteran colleagues. Guess what? You don’t know everything. And if you’re smart, you’ll never stop learning. Watch the older team members. Learn what works for them. They’ve been at this for years and you can not only learn from their successes but learn from their mistakes and how they bounced back.
While we’re on the subject of mistakes… they’re going to happen. Learn from them. “Why didn’t that work?” “How could I have done it differently to get a better result?”
And another thing.,. Be accountable for your actions. You made a mistake? Own up to it. Your boss or manager may be upset at first, but if you’re accountable they will (hopefully) appreciate the fact that you didn’t try to hide from it or blame someone else.
Derek Jeter spoke recently at the graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan. Here’s an excerpt.
In a nutshell he says, “If I can promise you one thing, for certain, you will fail. The bigger the dream the bigger the risk. But what’s the price if you don’t take the risk?”
He goes on to say, “I failed publicly. I failed miserably. There were days I literally cried because I was so bad. In my first season as a professional I made 56 errors. And for non-baseball fans, that’s hard to do intentionally. Every one of us has to deal with failure. I wouldn’t have had the success without the failures. It’s your job to make sure that a speed bump doesn’t become a roadblock.”
Wow!
What if Derek Jeter had given up that first year?
I remember reading Mariano Rivera’s book, “The Closer.” Yes, this lifetime Red Sox fan read a book about a Yankee closer. You gotta respect talent.
In that book he writes about how he came up through the minor leagues with Derek Jeter and he writes about meeting Jeter in a diner one day while they were both struggling. They talked about giving up! Can you imagine if there never was a Mariano Rivera or a Derek Jeter? True, it might have meant more playoff appearances for the Red Sox but what a loss for baseball.
Graduation is an exciting time and I certainly congratulate all those that have achieved it. It’s the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Things are about to get real! Don’t lose sight of the person you are but please realize there is still much to learn. Put your phone down and truly experience it.
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