I like commencement speeches, so I make it a point to read the transcripts (since I don’t hear well).

This year a number of them were colored political and skewed heavily anti-Trump.

I’m a fan of President Obama, who spoke at Rutgers University. I especially like his idea of “inflection points.”

I’m fond of quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” It bends towards justice. I believe that. But I also believe that the arc of our nation, the arc of the world does not bend towards justice, or freedom, or equality, or prosperity on its own. It depends on us, on the choices we make, particularly at certain inflection points in history; particularly when big changes are happening and everything seems up for grabs.

And, Class of 2016, you are graduating at such an inflection point.

Russell Wilson’s spoke to the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He offered some good advice about what to do “When life tells you no.”

But no, here’s something I really have learned: you can’t do it alone. You’ve got to surround yourself with good people.

Steve Blank spoke at NYU School of Engineering. He spoke about the need to make every day matter.

But this idea has never been far from my mind: That most of us will wake up 28,762 days — and then one day – we won’t. (…)

Make all the days of your life matter.

1. Take risks and push boundaries
2. Learn from wise people who may know more than you do

3. And let serendipity happen.

Commencement speeches typically focus on lie and the brightness of the future, while  Sheryl Sandberg’s speech at UC Berkeley focused on death. It is probably one of the most powerful, valuable, and best speeches I ever heard (read).

In case you missed it here is the transcript, but since most of the world likes video you can watch it yourself.

YouTube credit: UC Berkeley

Good bosses work hard to provide a positive culture where their people can learn, grow, make a difference and build a career to be proud of.

Most cast a wide net to find role models and use what they learn to improve their organization.

Sports has provided many of these role models, but most are the tough-talking, in-your-face style that many managers and most workers don’t like.

But Pete Carroll, Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, takes a different approach.

“Football has an old-school mentality: We’re going to grind you into the ground, we’re going to make men out of boys, and when you do something bad, we’re going to demean you. But here, they feel like you guys are already men and we’re going to treat you like men. It’s literally all positive reinforcement.” — Jimmy Graham, all-star tight end

And it’s not a when-times-are-good attitude that falls by the wayside when adversity hits — as it always will.

Even the intercepted pass that cost the Seahawks the Super Bowl last year didn’t rattle or change Carroll’s approach.

In his five years leading the Seahawks, he has made a mark not just by winning games but by reshaping the role of N.F.L. coach. Carroll, 63, has embraced diversity, encouraged free expression, promoted self-discovery and remained relentlessly positive.

Just think what your team could accomplish if you choose to emulate Carroll, instead of the more typical coaches.

Flickr image credit: Mark Lee