As the Class of 2019 steps off the graduation stage this Spring, there is a much larger stage that awaits them and a world of challenges and opportunities that beckon. Many graduates have a strong sense of the path they will pursue, and it isn’t uncommon to have committed to the “next thing” before the cap is thrown.
Having spent time with students on dozens of college campuses over the years, I’ve observed that most harbor dreams—or even bold ideas—of how they can play a role in making the world a better place. And too often I hear from students that they are worried the path they are on will not allow them to make a difference in this world. I am quick to remind them that you can reimagine the world from any perch—in brand marketing, in accounting or law, and yes, even nested within a large company. Yes, some will use their ideas to start a company, a movement or a nonprofit, but there is also a great need for the “changemaker within”—the next generation of talent who can see new possibilities in any sector.
Think of the product manager at P&G who argued for more sustainable packaging practices, or the team members at the big car companies who are helping to bring more efficient vehicles to our future, from hybrids to electric. Imagine going to Wall Street or Silicon Valley and bringing impact companies into the mix of those being considered for investments and support. Imagine building a new company in the nation’s heartland where innovation and jobs are needed more than ever.
As I highlight in my new book, Be Fearless: Five Principles for Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose, change or innovation is often driven by those who don’t have a deep background in a field or a discipline. Why? Because they can see possibilities that others who have adapted to the “this is how it's done” thinking cannot. In the words of Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb, “One of my biggest strengths was precisely how little I knew.”
It turns out no matter the sector, no matter the geography and no matter the role, graduates can take a page from those who have already broken through successfully by applying the five principles the Case Foundation research uncovered when looking at the core qualities of successful changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs throughout history. They include:
- Make a big bet. So many people and organizations are naturally cautious. They look at what seemed to work in the past, and try to do more of it, leading to only incremental advances. Every truly history-making transformation has occurred when people have decided to go for revolutionary change.
- Be bold, take risks. Have the guts to try new, unproven things and the rigor to continue experimenting. Risk-taking is not a blind leap off a cliff but a lengthy process of trial and error. And it doesn’t end with the launch of a product or the start of a movement. You need to be willing to risk the next big idea, even if it means upsetting your own status quo.
- Make failure matter. Great achievers view failure as a necessary part of advancing toward success. No one seeks it out, but if you’re trying new things, the outcome is by definition uncertain. When failure happens, great innovators make the setback matter and apply the lessons learned.
- Reach beyond your bubble. Our society is in thrall to the myth of the lone genius. But innovation happens at intersections. Often the most original solutions come from engaging with people with diverse experiences to forge new and unexpected partnerships.
- Let urgency conquer fear. Don’t overthink and overanalyze. It’s natural to want to study a problem from all angles, but getting caught up in questions like “What if we’re wrong? What if there is a better way?” can leave you paralyzed with fear. Allow the compelling need to act to outweigh all doubts and setbacks.
As they step off the stage, many of today’s graduates understand what Martin Luther King, Jr., referred to as the “fierce urgency of now.” Many graduates feel that urgency as they look at a world filled with challenges and opportunities. And we should urge them to pursue this mindset and not compromise as they head out into the world. The good news is that today anyone from anywhere can get started on a life of breakthroughs and purpose. And in the words of famed National Geographic Explorer, Jane Goodall, “There is no point in history when it has been more important to Be Fearless, overcome our acceptance of the status quo, and for each of us to step up and take action to make a difference in our world.”
So, go—get diploma, throw cap, Be Fearless.
