Three Gems from 2024 Commencement Speeches
Instead of talking about a speech that divided, let’s celebrate messages we can all embrace
One commencement speech has been getting the majority of column inches and commentary online.
And though I have a lot of thoughts on that speech, there is one line from it that hasn’t been getting attention – but that jumped out at me:
“Bad leaders who don’t stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society.”
And it got me thinking about leaders who do stay in their lane.
The leaders who speak about their areas of expertise.
The leaders who share wisdom and advice that align to their experiences and their character.
The leaders who share messages that are authentic and personal.
So instead of talking about a speech that divides us, let’s focus on three speakers who stayed in their lanes — and shared messages we can all embrace.
1.Don’t lose your sense of humor
Bust your ass. Pay attention. Fall in love.
Though he shared these three keys to life, the part of Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech to the graduating class at Duke University that stood out to me was when he stressed the importance of a sense of humor.
“Don’t lose your humor.
“It’s not an accessory.
“It’s the Stanley cup water bottle on the brutal long hike of life.”
It’s good advice – and it’s also fitting coming from someone who has made millions from his sense of humor.
2. “Get to know yourself. Accept who you are. And love that person.”
And speaking of humor, actor Jennifer Coolidge shared advice with the graduates of Washington University in St. Louis that seemed fitting, too.
At age 62, Coolidge is a celebrated actor now – but it hasn’t been easy.
She spoke about her journey – and the path of doubt and disappointment she tread before finding success.
She shared how others believed she was “too strange” to succeed.
And how she believed that, too.
But she encouraged the graduates to embrace who they were – “whether it’s the social norm or not.”
“I stand before you as a weird person,” she told the crowd.
“Don’t run from yourself like I did. Instead, choose radical self-acceptance and compassion.”
“Get to know yourself. Accept who you are. And love that person.”
3. The greatest joy comes from giving
And speaking of loving people, I suspect graduates at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth have a lot of love for Robert Hale, Jr, the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, who spoke at their commencement ceremony.
Hale, who has a fortune worth more than $5 billion, spoke about the importance of giving, and told the graduates:
“The greatest joys we’ve had in our life have been the gift of giving.”
He gave the graduates advice based on his life experiences – and backed up his words with action.
“We want to give you two gifts: the first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.”
The students then received two envelopes, each containing $500.
One envelope was a gift for the graduate, the other was a gift for the graduate to give to an organization or person in need.
Robert Hale, Jr (right) gives a Univeristy of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduate student a gift during their graduation ceremony (Credit: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, AP)
And this isn’t the first time Hale has given such a gift.
It’s the fourth time.
He did it in 2021 at Quincy College, then Roxbury Community College in 2022, and UMass Boston in 2023.
Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Coolidge, and Robert Hale, Jr gave their audiences a message worth remembering
Seinfeld, Coolidge, and Hale all spoke from their experiences — and shared personal, authentic messages.
They had an opportunity to be part of a memorable day in someone’s life – and made the most of it.
Don’t lose your sense of humor.
Get to know yourself. Accept who you are. And love that person.
And remember, the greatest joy comes from giving.
Those are all messages worth remembering.
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Beth Collier loves writing, pop culture, and Mary Schmich’s graduation advice.
She also loves helping companies, leaders, and teams improve their communication (and creativity and leadership) through consulting, coaching, and workshops.
Her clients benefit from Beth’s global corporate experience, Midwestern practicality and enthusiasm, and an endless supply of pop culture references.
To find out how Beth can help you become a more confident, creative, and compelling leader – or improve communication in your company – visit www.beth-collier.com or drop her a line at beth@beth-collier.com
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