May is the month when many celebrities and public figures speak at college graduations throughout the US. This year, one tech leader’s speech should teach us all a thing or two.
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg gave the commencement address to the University of California-Berkeley’s class of 2016. Sandberg got their attention immediately when she started with this statement: “I’m not gonna tell you what I learned in life. Today, I’m gonna try to tell you what I learned in death.” Here, she referred to the sudden death of her husband, David Goldberg, back in May 2015. She used her time of mourning to encourage the new graduates to persevere in the face of hardship, challenges, and especially tragedy. She shared the hard lessons she learned on overcoming difficult times. Sandberg reflected on the gratitude she found for family and friends. She reflected on the little things, like the laughter of her children. She urged the graduates to be grateful on any day and in any situation, good days and bad. She told them to never take life for granted, or take their loved ones for granted. Sandberg recalls asking herself the question, “What would she do if she had 11 days left to live?” She reminded the crowd that every day is precious and urged them to be there for their loved ones, not just through technology.
From what I’ve read, Sheryl Sandberg’s commencement address is one of the best graduation speeches ever. So many others give you advice about jobs, careers, and such things. Sandberg’s gives you advice about two things we will all face: living and dying. As techies, it’s easy for us to post a message or texts to our loved ones and think we’re doing something. I’d like to challenge us to write a hand written letter, make a phone call, or even pay a visit. In this fast pace world of technology, let’s slow down and appreciate the little things. When I look at the world situation, I don’t see it getting any better. Sandberg is right; we need to appreciate every day we get. What did you think of this commencement speech?