The last piece I’d like to share with you is the concept of “Average being officially over”. There is a contemporary author by the name of Thomas Friedman who wrote the book The World is Flat, who explains this concept in more detail.
His argument is we are sending you into a world economy very different from the one we entered years before. We have gone from a connected world to a hyper-connected world where employers can access the cheapest technology, cheapest communication and cheapest workforce than ever before. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google and Amazon are just a small example of the tools of hyper-connectivity.Employers are looking for intellectually curious problem solvers who are able to not only perform their job duties, but have the ingenuity to actually reinvent their job—performing it more efficiently—adapting it into a new job or career altogether. The possibilities with technology are endless. To compete in this hyper-connected world we must find what Friedman explains is our little bit of extra—because “Average is officially over”.
So there are three things Freidman suggests for individual success going into the future. Think like an immigrant, think like an artisan and think like the waitress at his favorite pancake house.
First, think like an immigrant. Immigrants came to our country with no contacts or legacy to rely on for success. They had to be creative and hungry in finding their niche to be successful—and they began their journey from scratch in a new country not knowing anyone.
Think like an artisan. Artisans worked with their hands and developed a unique skill they were very proud of—whether it was a potter, a shoemaker or a smith. Artisans were known for being skillful. They were also known for carving their names into their work out of pride. Be proud of your work and be willing to carve your name in everything you do.
Think like an immigrant-be hungry and don’t rely on others for success, think like an artisan-develop a unique skill you are proud of… and finally, think like the waitress at Thomas Friedman’s favorite pancake house. He was eating breakfast one day with one of his associates. He ordered his favorite buttermilk pancakes and his friend ordered eggs and fruit. When the waitress brought the food, she stated very plainly to his friend, “Here you go Sir...and I gave you extra fruit.” Now the waitress at the pancake house didn’t have control of much but what she did have control of was the ladle for the fruit that day. She thought like an entrepreneur and Mr. Friedman’s friend gave her an extra tip that day. That was her “little bit of extra”.
Class of 2014, don't forget your little bit of extra. I will miss you, be safe and remember, we are respect, we are honor, we are respect--we are Huskies!
