December Commencement speech by Steve Daley-Laursen
Commencement Speech - Media(page 2 of 2) So much for living and learning. Let’s explore briefly the third spire of the U of Idaho trinity… Leading. Allow me now to share a few tools of orientation that will prepare you as individuals to blaze new trails, to make a difference in this very big world that we have left you, a world that waits impatiently for you, and – a world that you will remake. Leadership is not just about hierarchies and people “at the top”. Leadership exudes from people, wherever they are. Your best place in life is where you find the best match for your skills and passions. This is where you can most effectively lead; where you generate and realize the greatest overall wealth, where wealth is the rich simplicity of being yourself, reaching your full potential, achieving happiness and making a difference for others. If you shop for security over happiness you will buy it at that price (Richard Bach). Leading is human action. Managers enhance existing systems and leaders transform them. It’s about moving cultures, by framing the right question and calling the question at the right time. But, be aware that even your mildest vision and hint at change is a death-threat to someone else’s status quo. To be effective with your big moves, do the little things well; share information, keep promises, apologize when you’re wrong , raise no false expectations, avoid surprises (except on birthdays) and know that trust and respect are built one person at a time, day in and day out. Loyalty is derived from respect. So, there’s the trinity…living, learning and leading. Here at the University of Idaho you have had the elegant opportunity to learn about living and to learn for leading. This University has been an interlude between the secure life of your youth and family and the world of unknowns and decisions that await you. Now, I ask you to seriously consider… What have you become by living here? What have you learned about learning? Will your leading blaze new trails? There are core issues in our world that have commanded attention and leadership across the millennia. I call your attention to three core issues that transcend and link the generations. I hope these core issues attract leadership from you, your class and your generation: Mutual Respect, Good Health and Equality Across Cultures. Whether you leave this country or not, your life will be led in an increasingly diverse, shrinking world. Prepare for this wonderful reality -- develop mutual respect and empathy with people who are different from you, who read different magazines and who have fundamentally different values and beliefs. Don’t travel with your culture. Go be in theirs. Don’t conform or tolerate…harmonize. Harmony Between Humans and Nature. The human relationship with the planet is evolving. We are learning what it takes to be in harmony. You must continue to invent a lifestyle that is both prosperous and protective. You must be skilled at adaptation. You must have strong will and expect the same of others. A Renewed Republic. James Madison warned that when government is consumed by division and faction, the broad public gets separated from active government…we lose deToqueville’s description of the American ideal discovered in town halls of the youthful American Republic…we lose the true seat of liberty and freedom, our ability to execute government by the people. Recall the moorings that our Founder’s gave us and make Government by the People work again for our great Republic. Work for the common good, for the common interest. Put practical solutions ahead of special interest and partisan politics. Focus less on what divides and differentiates us and more on what we can do together. The data shows that most Americans are moderate, but fooled by a myth that we are in a cultural war, red and blue, deeply divided. You can be one of many who will lead our republic out of this perceived polarity. This has been a profound challenge for my generation and it will be a profound challenge for yours. Go to TheCommonInterest.org. And as to our nation in one world. There is a paradox about power… that thoughtful use and distribution of power, the sharing of power, results in the gaining of power. Senator J. William Fulbright wrote: The attitude above all others which I feel sure is no longer valid is the arrogance of power, the tendency of great nations to equate power with virtue and major responsibilities with a universal mission. The dilemmas involved are preeminently American dilemmas, not because America has weaknesses that others do not have but because America is powerful as no nation has ever been before and the discrepancy between its power and the power of others appears to be increasing.... As citizens, you can help this grand Republic regain a productive role in one world where overpowering is a problem and not a solution. CLOSING Like you, I am feeling the bitter sweet in this graduation moment, remembering my living and learning here, and the imminent call to leadership just outside the door of this Dome. You are about to become like me, an active alumnus of this special place. You’ll find it to be an alluring, Siren-like place you’ll always want to come back to. You’ll forever benefit from your living and learning at our beloved university. Continue the tradition by being generous Silver and Bold supporters of the next generation of U of Idaho students so they too can lead in the world. Now go forth; with active minds and warm hearts, be close with your family and your friends, link people to the earth and inspire to the common good, handle power with a sense of service, skill and care, and above all, go where there is no path, and leave a trail. Thanks for this chance to advantage you. I love you Idaho, Big U and Little U. And, Godspeed graduates, Little you, Big you. Page 1 | Page 2 |
