I had the privilege to go to my two daughters’ college graduations this past week. Interestingly, they were in two different cities about 2.5 hours apart on the same day. Besides the fact that I was proud of them and overjoyed at their accomplishments, I have to admit, I look forward to hearing the commencement speeches.
Looking beyond just the schools that my kids graduated from, I have listened to other speeches addressing our collective challenges. The 2025 commencement season delivered a powerful lineup: Olympian Katie Ledecky at Stanford, comedian Steve Carell at Northwestern, Usher at Emory, and physician-author Abraham Verghese at Harvard, among others. Their speeches were diverse in tone and style, but three themes echoed across campuses and resonated far beyond the graduates in attendance: authenticity, resilience, and purpose.
Be Unapologetically Authentic
Usher encouraged students to lead with their truth. Steve Carell, in his signature dry humor, joked about the “importance of lowering expectations” but subtly drove home the message that success doesn’t require perfection. It requires showing up as yourself. In a world constantly nudging us to perform or conform, these speeches were a reminder that authenticity is not just refreshing; it’s magnetic. Whether you’re entering a new job, building relationships, or facing uncertainty, being true to who you are is a strength, not a weakness.
Build Resilience Like a Champion
Katie Ledecky’s story of discipline in the pool reminded us that success is a product of persistence over time. Actress Jane Seymour shared her journey of career reinvention and personal setbacks, urging graduates to embrace change rather than fear it. These lessons are clear: failure is inevitable, but quitting is optional. The people who thrive aren’t the ones who avoid difficulty—they’re the ones who keep going when things get hard.
Lead with Purpose
Mia Hamm spoke of excellence not just in sport, but in service to others. Abraham Verghese reflected on the human side of medicine and the power of empathy in every profession. Their speeches pointed to a bigger truth: purpose outlasts plans. As jobs shift and life changes, having a guiding “why” becomes the compass that keeps us grounded and driven. It’s not just about what you achieve, but why it matters.
For the “rest of us”, we don’t need a diploma to begin. Legacy isn’t something you leave behind; it’s something you build every day.
