Words of Wisdom for Our Future Leaders

Now that the 2017 graduation season is behind us, we can reflect on some of the advice and words of wisdom presented during recent commencement speeches. Do you have a favorite that stands out in your mind?

Well, hidden amidst all those who used the podium as an opportunity to criticize political parties and opponents, take a stand on a specific cause, or even propose that our government provide all citizens with a universal income, is a gem of common sense and reality...something from which our next generation of leaders can surely benefit.

Chief Justice John Roberts gave a remarkable commencement speech last month to his son’s graduating class:

"Now the commencement speakers will typically also wish you good luck and extend good wishes to you. I will not do that, and I’ll tell you why.

From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice.

I hope that you will suffer betrayal because that will teach you the importance of loyalty.

Sorry to say, but I hope you will be lonely from time to time so that you don’t take friends for granted.

I wish you bad luck, again, from time to time so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life and understand that your success is not completely deserved and that the failure of others is not completely deserved either.

And when you lose, as you will from time to time, I hope every now and then, your opponent will gloat over your failure. It is a way for you to understand the importance of sportsmanship.

I hope you’ll be ignored so you know the importance of listening to others, and I hope you will have just enough pain to learn compassion.

Whether I wish these things or not, they’re going to happen. And whether you benefit from them or not will depend upon your ability to see the message in your misfortunes."

In an age of debate over safe spaces, micro-aggressions and diversity of thought, Chief Justice Roberts’ unique address should be long remembered as incredibly timely, incredibly wise, incredibly inspiring…and incredibly real.

So, to the next generation of leaders, may you experience all the flavors of life, because with out tasting the bitter, you can never full appreciate the sweet.