Tuesday 1 July 2014

Words of Wisdom - 2014 Centennial College Commencement Address

On June 11, 2014, I had the honour of delivering the commencement address to 900 graduates of the School of Transportation and their families at Centennial College in Toronto. Several thousand people came out and I was televised for this formal affair - see the link at the end of this post. The experience was rewarding and exciting, in part because the students and faculty seemed to appreciate my "words of wisdom".

Afterwards, I was thanked by students and even asked by faculty if I would allow them to use it in their future teaching. As each graduate received their Diploma, I got a chance to congratulate them - and many thanked me for my encouraging words.

I wanted to post my speech here so that it becomes a public document reachable for these graduates that I now have a personal interest in. To those that just graduated, may you always keep "Love, Truth & Honour" in your hearts as you make your way in the world...


2014-06-11 Centennial College Commencement Speech

LOVE, TRUTH & HONOUR 
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Distinguished Members of Centennial College’s Board of Governors, President Ann Buller, other members sharing the platform with me today, students, your families and guests… 

I welcome you here and thank you for the opportunity to address you today.

I have come to learn that commencement speeches are quite symbolic and steeped in tradition. 

To graduates, then this speech actually represents the final lesson that Centennial College wishes to share with you before sending you out into the world to make your mark. 

As such, I consider this a high honour to be able to share my thoughts, experiences and life lessons with you today. 


INTRODUCTION – Let Me Share A Little About Myself:
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In my incredibly intense and blessed life so far - I have lived, played and worked hard. 

In short, I have had a blast. 

I have built businesses that have uniquely applied technology to the metalworking manufacturing space. 

In fact, two of the companies I founded have gone public, but the first failed largely to timing – being on the wrong side of 911. 

To highlight this, on Sept 11, 2001 my net worth had grown to over $70 million, but I watched as our e-Manufacturing Networks prospectus for financing rained down from those New York towers. I can say that my hopes and fortunes crashed and burned that day too. 

I cannot tell you how gut wrenching that time was with no power to change what was happening, and eventually would happen as a result. 

I would lose everything thanks to this event, but I have bounced back. The message here is one of dogged persistence, of getting up over and over when life hits you hard, as it invariably will to test your heart. 

I have won big, and I have lost big – but I believe that my greatest accomplishment is that I have made a difference with integrity. 

Over the years, I have been seen as a visionary trying to connect every machine on the factory floor to the network. I have also been the co-founder of an open standards group called MTConnect that I am proud to say is being adopted worldwide these days. 

I have truly been “up-to-something” with many supporting me – especially my family, friends & co-workers.

Today my goal is to touch, move and inspire you to even greater things than I have done – for you to make a difference in this world too. 

I want to share with you thoughts in three areas – LOVE, TRUTH & HONOUR.


About LOVE – A Misunderstood 4 Letter Word:
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Although the word “love” is used a lot these days, I don’t think that people appreciate the depth that it has. 

We talk casually about love and often minimize it – but really it is a force that binds the universe together – something you will have to tap into to really succeed at this thing called life.

Over the years I have seen so many people pay a heavy price to rise to other people’s expectations. They have mistakenly chosen to love image, power or money and thus simply lose themselves (and their health, their families, and their self-worth) in the process. 

 “Don’t use people and love things, rather love people and use things.” 

In my mind, loving yourself means respecting yourself, taking care of yourself, improving yourself, nurturing yourself, and taking time for yourself. You also need to love those supporting you like family, friends and even teachers. Share your appreciation. It is not all about you.

If you ignore these areas, you will learn hard lessons which will be repeated until they are learned I might add.

When I graduated over 26 years ago, I distinctly remember saying – so now what? I look back now and see the ride of my life, as I took on the world.  

I started my first business when I was 14 and I learned a valuable lesson about money – namely that there is no mystery on how to make it … money is made simply by solving another’s problem. 

If you want more money you can either solve bigger problems or more problems for others … or change who you are solving them for.

As the world gets more and more complicated, we vitally need people like you who can fix, maintain, and service mission critical transportation equipment like you can – you are important and even vital. 

Your travels will lead into many areas, but never forget your training here and your worth.

The energy to keep going, growing, learning and eventually recovering from a setback or fall – comes from knowing your worth, loving what you are doing and doing what you love. 

You have to want to change the world and be unreasonable to make this happen. 


Now on to TRUTH:
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To me, truth is about seeking and clinging to what I call capital “T” truths. The world is very distracting and will want to pull you in many directions that are not what you love, not who you are, and do not generate happiness in the long run. 

This whole consumer world wants you to serve it first – buy what they are selling – do what they are saying – think what they tell you - so that you will serve their interests first.  Run, don’t walk, away from these detours and temporal traps. 

Truth is about clinging to what is right and just – serving others, and clinging to proven Truths that are unchanging. Protect your heart.

I have had some bitter losses, but I have never compromised on the truths I find to be self-evident. 

Seek wisdom, as it is the principal thing. 


A Note About HONOUR:
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I would like to think that as each of you makes your way in the world, that you all uphold the highest character – that no one can buy, bully or entice you to compromise on your values. 

Take time to know your values – write them down even and keep them in your heart.

Be proud, take a stand, and learn to serve others well - this is what honour is all about. Great leaders are of service to others with everything they have – it is who they are. 

In the years ahead you may be asked to compromise on those values – to cheat the system, fudge a report, pass something of bad quality, look the other way or to lie, cheat or steal – do not ever do this, as it will come back to you. It could even have dire consequences that you will regret or be liable for years later. Live an honourable life.

This message here is about character – you need to have courage to take a stand for what is right. 

I believe that you should all consider yourselves as professionals, and act accordingly. Not every boss is good, company culture supportive, or staff morally upright – but you can be. 

I quote Ghandi, who once said: “You must be the change that you wish to see in the world.” 

It is important to align yourself with people who share your values in life, as you will become like those you are around. 

Learn to be courageous and take a stand - even if it costs you. Your goal should be to be respected, and not necessarily liked by all. 


And now, one final thought – Giving Back:
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As you get busy with life, it is easy to have focus only on you and your needs, but I want you to consider that part of your life should be dedicated to giving back. By virtue of your time here at Centennial and this graduation, you are way ahead of most people in this world. 

Although I have given back in many areas of my life thus far, I am most proud of starting Peoplewerks Volunteer Association in 2009. Peoplewerks is a non-profit group located in Hamilton dedicated to getting people working – one day at a time. 

I wanted to see a movement where people who want to work can, and thus be productive. It is a shame how many good people are not working, and the ones that are working are often over-worked and could use the help. 

Peoplewerks has been one of my experiments to create a difference – but I think that everyone can start their own action to make the world a better place. 

There is never a day when you cannot be generous – even if it is simply a smile, or a glass of water. 


In Conclusion:
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I encourage you in all goodness, and wish you well in the ride called your life - armed with your Centennial College diplomas soon to be presented… 

Go forth to make a difference in this world with 
LOVE, TRUTH and HONOUR in your hearts.

So now, I leave you with these immortal lines of encouragement from Britain’s wartime hero 
Winston Churchill:

“This is not the end,
Nor even the beginning of the end,
Rather, this is the end of the beginning!”

Thank you… 
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For a link to a video of the actual speech - click below and 
jump to 19 minutes 25 seconds where I start: