McCullough's speech (video below) is a funny and inspiring expression of the value of humble selflessness. Sustained innovation does not occur without humility, and the curiosity that grows from it. Humility and curiosity are the first two of the five key values for successful innovation leadership. Read our white paper Humility: The Foundation Value of Innovation Leadership to spark some thinking about why humility is so important. Clue: arrogant people and organizations cannot learn new tricks.
McCullough also challenges the graduate to consider their motivations. He challenges them, "Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you." As mountain climbers ourselves, we love that! It brought to mind René Daumal's wonderful poem:
“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.”
So, climb your own "mountains" -- those especially arduous problems in your life and organization. Persevere not for others' recognition but for the "view". Enjoy the summit and then live by the wisdom of its memory. Hopefully, we'll see each other up there. We'll bring GORP to share.
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