Saturday, August 4, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address to the 2012 graduates of the Duquesne University School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. Graduates assembled in the University's Palumbo Center to receive graduate and undergraduate degrees in a variety of leadership study areas of concentration. Many were working professionals who combined their studies with full time jobs, including a good number from the military. The University live streamed the event for those who could not attend in person.
My hosts from the School of Leadership were living proof of the values they teach. Smart, collegial, proactive and fun. They made the weekend extraordinary. Here are a few pictures from the weekend, beginning with the book signing and talk on Friday night at the campus Barnes and Noble.
The Friday night crowd included alums, faculty and members of the graduating class.
When I sign books, I like to personalize the message, even if I'm meeting a person for the first time. A few questions and there's always a story or a connection to note.
Dean Dorothy Bassett of the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement welcomes the crowd and introduces the speaker.
I shared thoughts from one of my favorite columns, "Ten Things Great Bosses Know" with the group.
Saturday, it was time for commencement ceremonies.
The proud graduates.
My commencement speech was titled "More Power to You." I plan to turn it into a column and podcast soon, so stay tuned!
Repeat after me. "I am a power hungry leader." Those words sound more like a confession than an aspiration, don't they? But I'll argue that true leaders are indeed power hungry and they should be, provided it's for the right reasons. That's a message I make clear time and again in "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW' and the message I shared in a recent commencement address I delivered. I listed ten distinct powers I wanted the graduates to have and to share.
I turned that commencement address into a column and podcast for Poynter.org. Here's a link so you can read all ten -- and even one bonus power, too!
