Transcript Not Reviewed in Time for Ut Austin
Robert A. Iger Delivers Outset Address at the Academy of Texas at Austin
Read a transcript of the speech delivered by Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Lath at The Walt Disney Company, during the 138th leap commencement at UT Austin, May 22, 2021.
The following is the oral communication delivered past Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board at The Walt Disney Company, during the 138th spring commencement at UT Austin, May 22, 2021.
Practiced evening! President Hartzell, Chairman Eltife, members of the kinesthesia and staff, parents and family members, graduates. It is and then great to exist hither, all together in ane place!
To the Class of 2021, congratulations! Yous got through a twelvemonth of quarantines, Zoom classes, masks, nasal swabs, and more accept-out nutrient than y'all thought yous'd eat in a lifetime—and you're graduating! That's crusade for a large celebration under normal circumstances, but this year'due south commencement is even more special.
Yous know, I've thought a lot nigh what I would say to all of yous this night, which brought me back to my own commencement, 48 years ago…. and I quickly realized I couldn't remember who the speaker was—I actually retrieve only about 6% of people tin can retrieve who spoke at their graduation!
Fortunately, you all have phones with cameras, so there's a take a chance, one-half a century from now, you'll look back at photos and think that it was me who spoke to you.
While I don't recall much about that day, what I practise call up is that, as a young college graduate, I had utterly no idea where my life would take me. I certainly never dreamed I would one day exist asked to give a showtime address. Then, to President Hartzell and everyone hither, let me say, 'Thanks.' It truly is an accolade and a pleasance for me to stand on these hallowed Forty Acres and exist a part of this special day.
I too didn't know I was going to take iv children, 1 of whom is here, graduating. His name is Max, and he's probably terribly embarrassed that I'thou even mentioning him—but how could I not?!
I will simply say: he absolutely loved his time here at UT, and he even has a flake of a Texas emphasis – which is a good affair for a kid from California! He received a phenomenal education. His mother and I are very thankful for that. And he's made a number of really wonderful friends, and I am certain they volition remain connected for the rest of their lives. I'one thousand also pleased to say that Max's blood brother, Will, has decided to get to UT besides, and and then we'll soon have ii Longhorns in the family, which we're very excited about!
Today is and volition always be ane of those significant days in your life. In many means it is an catastrophe, but it is as well a beginning, which probably feels a bit overwhelming for some of you lot.
There'due south no doubt this is an boggling, somewhat unsettling time to be a young person starting out. In that location are tough challenges at the global and community levels, and no easy answers.
But, it is an exciting time, also.
Our world is irresolute at a faster stride than many thought possible. A lot has been disrupted, but then much has been created. At that place are new industries, new businesses, new and different jobs, and exciting places to observe those jobs, like right here in Austin. Nosotros are immersed in invention and innovation.
These dynamic, rapidly changing times, even with the myriad challenges we're facing, present great opportunity for your generation. And this evening, I thought I would share some advice, some lessons on how to make the most of that opportunity.
You know, the ii questions I've been asked most often over the years are: "Who'southward your favorite Disney grapheme?" and "What is the biggest single cistron that contributed to your success?" The answer to the starting time question is Tinkerbell, in example yous're wondering. The respond to the second is: boldness. And if ever there was a time to be bold, information technology is now!
One of the most valuable things I've learned from my own experiences, too as from mentors and friends is that the merely way to accomplish meaningful things in life is by acting boldly. Existence timid has never gotten anyone anywhere.
Of course, boldness is more than only non being timid. It means taking swift and meaning action in the confront of fear or incertitude. It means standing with backbone and conviction when confronted with tough or unpopular choices. It means having an unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity and doing the right thing. It means having a deep and abiding curiosity about people, places, ideas and the willingness to attempt something birthday new.
And being assuming requires ambition and a willingness to dream big! When you are in your early twenties, as many of you are, in that location is no such matter as having dreams that are too large. Your possibilities are enormous. My communication—be optimistic. Be confident and have faith in yourself and your abilities. Believe your dreams are doable, and don't permit anyone tell you they're not.
You also demand to exist resilient. Fortunately, y'all've already proven y'all are, after getting through what has been an historically difficult year….and graduating!
All of these qualities – resiliency, ambition, curiosity, optimism and a willingness to dream big – will serve you well and enable you, non only to make the most of opportunities, simply also debate with other challenges, including failure.
By the way, failure is non the end of the world, or even the end of the road!
When I was your age, I dreamed of beingness a network anchorman. And subsequently graduating from college, I got a chore at a modest TV station as a weatherman and planned to work my way up.
Unfortunately, I quickly realized I was a terrible weatherman, and I didn't take a take a chance at fulfilling my ultimate dream. So, at the ripe former age of 23, I decided to quit my task and do something completely different. It was a bold motility—given that I had no idea what the time to come held. I ended up getting a job at ABC every bit a low level, and I hateful actually depression-level production assistant….and not long after, my dominate called me into his part, and told me I was unpromotable, giving me 2 weeks to find some other job!
My career was off to a bit of a rough start, it would seem! In my first two years, I failed as a weatherman and a guy I worked for told me I wasn't good enough to ever be promoted.
Fortunately, he was wrong—I got another job…a promotion, and the balance, every bit they say, is history.
The fact is, there will be setbacks and naysayers along the style. So what? That's life!
About every successful person has struggled or failed at some point. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, the visitor he founded. The guy who made the decision has since called it 'one of the biggest regrets of his life.' No kidding! Walt Disney was fired from one of his kickoff jobs as a newspaper artist considering the editor felt he "lacked imagination" and "had no original ideas." Can you believe that?
Walt failed a number of times over the years, however – ever the optimist – he never stopped dreaming big and beingness bold. And I'm proud to say we have continued his legacy. In fact, as President Hartzell noted in his generous introduction, we have been bold deal makers throughout my tenure. Merely, the heart of our disrespect has ever rested in our storytelling.
Some years back the talented people at Pixar pitched united states a film most the very special cultural tradition of United mexican states's Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. It was filled with colorful characters, folk fine art and great, authentic music, all prepare in a textured, beautiful world. And so we heard from skeptics who thought information technology was narrow and so culturally dependent that it would never resonate globally. The opposite proved true. Coco touched people's hearts everywhere it was released, because it historic the diversity of the human experience and the dazzler and liveliness of the Mexican culture.
A similar situation arose with a pic I know many of you saw, Marvel'south Blackness Panther, the film I'm about proud of. It was pitched past a talented Black director, Ryan Coogler, as a Black superhero story with a predominantly Blackness cast, and, once again, many believed it would fail. Of course, they were completely wrong! Black Panther was groundbreaking—a hugely successful motion-picture show that became a cultural phenomenon, and a powerful force for good. One bold decision changed the way people run across heroes, and had a lasting touch on on the world!
So, no matter how you choose to contribute, whether through the stories you tell, the career you lot pursue, or the important changes you aid bring nigh, our world needs your generation to be assuming! To take on ambitious projects. To address the challenges facing us today, and not merely on a grand scale. Only imagine if everyone in your generation did one assuming thing, fifty-fifty something relatively small—the collective power of those millions of actions would be massive!
And if any of yous uncertainty your power, simply look at all you've achieved here at UT! Look, for instance, at the incredible work yous've done in response to the virtually pressing challenge of our time, the COVID-xix virus. You have developed critical parts of the vaccine in your inquiry labs, and you've played a fundamental part in getting local communities, including underrepresented communities, vaccinated.
"What starts hither changes the world." You're already doing information technology!
You leave here today arguably improve able and better equipped to change the world than any generation before you—thanks to the amazing technological tools at your disposal, tools you are adept at using. Utilize them to construct rather than destruct. Build agreement, respect and tolerance. Be bold and fight the evils of hatred and antipathy. Be a strength for adept in our world. And aid to ensure all people have access to the kinds of opportunities that may lead to greater fulfillment, satisfaction and success. Exist builders not destroyers of truth and civility.
And never, e'er finish assertive you can make a deviation. As Steve Jobs said: "The ones who are crazy plenty to call up that they tin change the earth, are the ones who practise."
You lot know, one of the most curious things about life is the speed with which information technology passes. I know this is a hard concept for young people to grasp. But merely recall near how fast your time hither at UT flew past. Hither I am, at seventy, and it feels similar but yesterday I was 22 years one-time with big plans and a lifetime to accomplish them. Looking dorsum, I could never have imagined I would accept the incredible opportunities I've had over the years. It's been quite a journey, one for which I am exceedingly grateful.
All of y'all take so much of life alee of you lot. And while I'm exhorting you to be doers, to get out there and modify the world, I also hope you bask the feel.
Sure, there will be tough days, mayhap some really tough days even.
But there will also be lots of good days, lots of great days. And tons of pleasant surprises….like meeting the love of your life, who about of you oasis't met yet. Or having children. Or discovering a passion. Or finding a dandy task, that leads to a great career.
As I reverberate on my life, I hesitate to suggest I'd change much, because life has been really good to me. Merely I know this—if I could exercise it all again, I would take time to appreciate things more than.
It's the equivalent of smelling the roses, but it's more than that—it's not sweating little things or getting mad at petty nonsense. Information technology's not about wasting time, just having license to be frivolous every so ofttimes. Information technology's that incredibly valuable ability to bask the beauty of your life, and all of the happy, fulfilling, and cool parts of it.
My sincere hope is that all of you volition comprehend life, embrace it enthusiastically! Bask the beauty of a summer day or the nearly succulent pizza you've ever eaten—I love pizza! Become for a spin on your bike, take salsa lessons, eat dessert….go to Disneyland!
And don't just wait for these opportunities to present themselves. Be adventurous! Be curious. Effort new things, especially things you lot never imagined you could or would do.
Most important, cherish the relationships you lot take with the people in your lives. Invest in those relationships. Autobus your children's soccer team, take a route trip with your friends…. and recollect to phone call dwelling and talk with your folks every in one case in a while!
I promise, you won't regret a infinitesimal you lot spend with the people you love.
This may surprise you, only I would trade places with whatsoever one of you in a heartbeat and do it all over again. Life is an unexpected, exhilarating, fulfilling gamble!
And so, my advice to all of you lot equally you embark on that adventure: be bold. Don't exist in the business organization of playing it safe. Be in the concern of creating possibilities for greatness.
Dream big and be optimistic! If your first dream doesn't come up truthful, find some other one, and pursue information technology with equal conviction!
And speak upward! Speak the truth, fifty-fifty when it's hard for others to hear.
Help solve humanity's most complex and pressing issues through your words and deportment.
Use technology to heal, non to harm.
Be a force for skillful in our earth! There'due south so much that needs fixing.
And along the way, exist sure to embrace life. Live it to the fullest, have fun, appreciate every unmarried moment. And start now!
The brilliant essayist and author E.B. White wrote: "I arise in the morning torn betwixt the desire to improve the world and a want to bask the world." Improve the world and relish the world. I encourage all of you to strive each day of your lives to do both.
Today is a wonderful, joyous, happy day. We're grateful to be together celebrating your incredible achievements. We're so very proud of all of you. Rejoice in this moment. Savor it. Congratulations to you all. Claw 'em Horns!
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Source: https://news.utexas.edu/2021/05/23/robert-a-iger-delivers-commencement-address-at-the-university-of-texas-at-austin/