Commencement Address

Dr. Kathleen Schmatz
Northwood University – Florida Campus Commencement Speech
West Palm Beach, Florida
May 23, 2007

Good afternoon and congratulations to all of the graduates. You rock! Congratulations to all of the parents and friends of the graduates. You are wonderful supporters. And, heartiest “thanks you’s” to the distinguished faculty. You have been inspiring mentors and counselors.  Northwood University is a very special place and today is a very special day for all of us.

When a kid from South Buffalo can be in such eminent company in West Palm, now that is an extraordinary day.  I have truly enjoyed my aftermarket career. Well, at least enjoyed it most of the days of the past 35 years. Okay, I must admit there have been some bumps. So in the next few minutes I would like to offer you a bit of a post graduate education, hard learned on my part, a gift in celebration of all that you have accomplished. 

It is ironic that I am here today to offer you some tips as you take over America's commerce.  You see, for the past four years or so I have been speaking around the country telling geezers like me and Professor Sundwick, to get ready for you. The aging baby boomers who are running things now have anticipated your arrival in today’s business world.  No matter what field you choose to enter, welcome. We need new leaders. And we need them fast. Ten thousand of us turn 55 every single day. More than 42% of all the senior management members in U.S. business will retire in the next five to ten years. We need you, the millennial generation, to fill our ranks and help this great country thrive like never before.

We know you are different than your baby boomer parents and your generation X older siblings. I have been encouraging my colleagues to adapt to you - and learn. We know you want meaning because you are civic and cause minded. As the 'play date' generation, we know you collaborate. You work, problem solve and even date in groups. You create communities in both physical and virtual space. You aren’t intimidated by age or experience and see yourself as peers with your elders. You are connected borderlessly with folks of different neighborhoods, cities, states and countries. You are early adopters of all things technical. You multitask as you are the most scheduled generation ever. You work hard, play hard and reach up and out.

Every one of your traits will help this country grow and will help other countries grow in democracy, literacy, and entrepreneurship. But at least for a short time in your careers, you will need to deal with us geezers, those just ahead of you, and to manage those who will follow you. 

Here are some tips as you fast track to leadership:

1. Take the time to write a short letter. Notice I said ‘letter.’ That means spend some of your graduation loot on lovely stationery that is embossed with your formal name and address. Invest in a fancy pen that you like to use, and actually write a note of thanks every single week. Thanks to a colleague that inspired you. Thanks to a customer who listened. Thanks to an employer who gave you an interview. Then really address it with the pen, find one of the ever more expensive stamps that the post office prints and snail mail it. There is nothing more unique or more memorable today than a hand written letter. Want to break through the clutter? Do it.

2. Speaking of mail, that takes me to some thoughts on email and text messages. This is a career breaking or career making tip. Never, ever, ever expect to write a confidential email or text message. There is no such thing. In fact, noting that an email is confidential is like inspiring the original receiver to develop the forwarding list before they are even finished reading it. Really. And treat email as a formal communication method. Proof read, spell check. Over communicate with it. Most meetings with customers/suppliers and colleagues require a written follow up. Internally and externally.

3. Be passionate about what you are doing. Exhibit an undying enthusiasm for your work. No matter what it is, there is always more to learn, more urgency to exhibit. Attitude is everything and always will be. We all know that you are smarter than us, but caring about what you do is even more important.  Good will always be the enemy of Great. If you do a good job, it will be too easy to continue to do a good job. Do a great job. Personally and professional and you will always take more than you give.

4. Commit to life-long learning. No you do not know it all. Yes, Northwood has provided you with a fabulous foundation, but build higher and higher. No one can ever take knowledge away from you. Do it for you. Do it forever.

5. Thank people publicly and solve problems privately. Often a meeting is a terrible place to do business. Do it in advance, one on one if possible. Never deal with awkward problems or people publicly. Always do that without an audience. Be an inspirer.

6. And most importantly: “There is no right way to do a wrong thing.” A mentor of mine, Richard Morgan, AAIA’s Chairman of the Board, has offered this commandment to many and everyone should thank him for the reminder. Unhappily some of the folks who should be business icons have been business felons. There is no excuse; there is no situation that will alter this case. There is simply not any right way to do a wrong thing. At home, in the office, with your friends, or your close or extended family.

If you are like me, lists of more than six rules are not only hard to remember, they are usually hard to listen to as well. Today is for celebration, tomorrow for your leadership. I look forward to welcoming you as colleagues and will enjoy watching you take over. Come and get it.