It’s graduation month.
Chapters are closing as new chapters begin.
There were great graduation speeches, like Eric Church’s speech at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
There were speeches that were booed, like the University of Central Florida speech that included AI.
Most people my age likely don’t remember much of anything about their graduation. They don’t remember the speaker, the message, or even the ceremony. I have no recollection of any of the speakers at my three graduations – Spruce Creek High School, Florida Southern College, or Florida State University.
They probably played it safe, which likely made it quickly forgettable.
Graduates, or others starting anew, now is the time to decide whether to blend in and be forgettable or stand out and be memorable.
Being memorable requires risk.
It requires that you stick your neck out.
The entrepreneur risks failure to build something meaningful. The reward? Creating opportunities not just for themselves, but for others.
The leader risks criticism by making unpopular decisions. The reward? Earning trust when people realize the decision was right.
The employee risks speaking up with a new idea instead of staying quiet.The reward? Innovation, growth, and sometimes an entirely new career path.
The friend risks vulnerability by telling someone they matter.The reward? Deeper relationships in a world full of surface-level connections.
The new employee risks volunteering to take on a difficult project. The reward? The respect of colleagues who may view them in a new light because of their willingness to lead.
Organizational leaders who encourage risk taking are rewarded by their teams. They may not get it right every time as risk taking also means failing. But risk taking also means results, innovation and new thinking, and retaining smart people who are engaged in their work.
Eric Church’s speech will be remembered because he was willing to say something real instead of something safe.
It will be remembered because he demonstrated his key points visually and musically.
It will be remembered because he tailored his message, his guitar, and his song.
The speeches people forget are usually the ones designed to offend no one, challenge no one, and inspire no one.
Safe may protect you from criticism.
But risk is what gives you the chance to be memorable and make a difference.
