Wake Forest
Few corporate leaders have as rapt an audience as they do when they speak at commencement, that great rite of spring when graduates get to reflect on the academic life they're leaving behind and the challenges and opportunities ahead. And this year's crop of B-school graduation speakers is no exception. With the job outlook for both college business majors and MBAs improving, the tone this year was generally optimistic—with a healthy dose of reality thrown in for good measure.
The thread that brings together many of the recent graduation speeches is a call to action, a suggestion to look long and hard in the mirror, take stock of the post-crisis world, and move forward as the type of leader who does not seek followers but rather helps cultivate new leaders. From Bob McDonald, CEO of Procter & Gamble (PG), who told graduates of University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School (Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Profile) that there is no surefire formula for making a difference, to John C.Cushman III, chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, who apologized to those at the commencement for University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business (Marshall Full-Time MBA Profile) for the errors of his generation that are costing Americans dearly, there seems to be less sugar-coating and more tough talk than are typically heard in such addresses.
Still, earning a business degree brings with it joy and a sense of accomplishment. Speechmakers urged students to embrace this milestone in their lives as a chance to wipe the slate clean and set forth on a greater mission.
"Whether you choose business, the not-for-profit sector, or government, be passionate about what you're doing," said Henry R. Kravis, founding partner of the private equity firm KKR at the May 15 commencement at Columbia Business School (Columbia Full-Time MBA Profile). "In the current economy, this may seem idealistic and impractical because most of you need to earn a living, reimburse student and other loans, or support or help your families. In this labor market, you might not find a job immediately, but the important thing is to get started, acquire experience, and make connections without losing sight of your longer-term goals. Whatever job you take, be the best at what you do and work harder than everyone else."
The virtues of hard work aren't limited to getting ahead, though. Doing good counts for something, too. Doug Conant, the CEO of Campbell Soup Company (CPB), is planning to focus his June 17 speech to graduates of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management (Kellogg Full-Time MBA Profile) on assisting others and being thoughtful about how you influence them, according to his spokesperson, Anthony J. Sanzio.
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