During his remarks to graduates, Preston said, “Years from now, society is going to be most curious about the Class of 2024: how you handled the adversity, how you’ve grown and how your contributions are impacting the world. What you have endured and accomplished says a lot about your potential — certainly as a business leader and most importantly as a person.”
Recognizing the technical skills that graduates have acquired, Preston also emphasized the importance of soft skills, including the ability to make connections.
“You have seen how interconnected the world is … We have also seen over the last four years the effects of isolation on mental health worldwide,” he said, challenging graduates to build relationships. “Be the one — be the leader in your group, in your community — that keeps people connected. And, when you don’t hear from someone in a while, reach out. Sometimes sounds of silence can be a cry for help. Nothing in the human experience is more important than relationships. And nothing in a relationship is more powerful than being with each other.”
The ability to lead, Preston said, comes from lived experiences and a personal commitment to learn, explore, discover — and always remain curious. “Over the last four years, you have been strengthening your leadership competencies. You’ve demonstrated resilience, you’ve operated surrounded by ambiguity, you were adaptive when necessary and you were results-oriented. And, results do matter. There was a goal. You achieved it. You are here today.”
Preston shared leadership lessons that he has learned over the years, including the belief that effective leaders engage in a “continuous cycle of listening and learning” and named crucial characteristics of strong leaders: “They are authentic. They have strong values and character. They operate with humility. They demonstrate strength through resilience, and they also demonstrate strength through acts of kindness.”
He noted the positive impact of technology on innovation but reminded graduates not to forget about human connections and remaining present in the moment. “For each of you as you go forward, leverage technology as a tool but never stop learning, thinking and staying curious.”
