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But you must be able to not only have a vision but to be able to articulate a vision and inspire – not require – other people to line up behind you. But as you move up, you must evolve from someone who is just executing to someone who is developing other leaders or empowering other people.Ĭhoosing to be a leader means to understand that effective leadership in the 21st century will not be based solely on your functional expertise but rather on consensus-building, the ability to collaborate, to build bridges across obvious divides, to tolerate others’ points of view. When you are just starting out in your career, yes, you are an individual contributor. What you do: Do you empower other people? Graduates, I tell you that leadership is indeed a journey from execution to empowerment. How do you act? Are you building allies? Are you presenting yourself as constructive and productive? What is your body language communicating? Are you assembling to gather relationship currency? While your performance currency will be important in your life, the relationship currency is far more important. Are you liberal with giving praise to others in your work environment? Remember that people behaviorally respond much more to praise than they do to criticism. And the more they hear it, the more they will want to hear it, and they will solicit your voice. How you show up is this: Are you leading unapologetically, unabashedly and in a very authentic way? What you say: Are you willing to speak up? Remember, graduates, that when you use your voice, the organization will hear it. With respect to influence, remember that being influential is about four things: how you show up what you say how you act and what you do. The more that you empower others, the more powerful you will become.

One secret about power is that you grow your power by giving it away. Having power is part reality and part state of mind. Power is the ability to make things happen by your own efforts or provoking someone else’s efforts to get something done. If you are making the choice to lead, then you must know something about power and influence. Do not wait for someone to offer you the promotion step up and say that you want it. Do not wait for someone to choose you choose yourself.

#Carla harris speaker free

While clearly God is in charge, it is his grace and mercy that will allow you to exercise your free will to drive your dreams, your goals, even your promotions and your career choices. Graduates, you must be intentional about being in the driver’s seat of your life. When choosing the option that allows you to lead, you are choosing to make life happen instead of letting life happen to you. And make the choice that will inevitably push you and stretch you the most. Choose the options that create a multiplier effect. As you go forward from this day, I will urge you: When faced with a choice, choose the options that position you to be a leader. Every choice that you make has a consequence. As you no doubt have already learned, choice is a very important, very powerful thing.

And graduates, that is exactly what I want to talk to you about today: choice, chance, change and courage. For indeed it is an institution that understands the power of choice, the unpredictability of chance, the certainty of change and the strength of courage. It is also quite special to receive this distinction of an honorary doctorate from an institution whose mission is to emphasize exceptional teaching, discovery and student engagement within a dynamic academic community, an institution that seeks to integrate the intimacy of an undergraduate liberal arts college with the academic vitality of a research university and an institution that seeks to become the crossroads of discussion on the important national and international issues of our time. It is a distinct honor and a privilege to be here this morning to deliver this Commencement address. But most importantly, good morning to the Class of 2018 of Wake Forest University. Hatch, to Provost Kersh, the deans, my fellow honorary degree recipients, Trustees, esteemed professors, staff, parents, family and invited guests. Remarks as given by Carla Harris, the vice chairman, managing director and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley, to the Wake Forest graduating class May 21, 2018.