Dr. Paul Polman’s Address to Graduates
June 13, 2009
University of Cincinnati Commencement Speech
Thank you Interim President Monica Rimai.
Class of 2009, families and friends, members of the board and distinguished guests:
I am honoured and humbled to share this day with you. Thirty years ago I was sitting in your
seats for my own commencement ceremony, probably less nervous and more relieved than I
am now.
The honourable Jessie Jackson was the commencement speaker. A man who has dedicated
his whole life to the fight for equal rights and opportunity for us all.
There is no better recognition for his unselfish struggle than the election of your new
president Barack Obama. The world has welcomed him with open arms and is excited and
hopeful about the changes he will bring.
Before I start, it is important to recognize that none of you graduates made it to this day
alone.
Others believed in you and provided the emotional, intellectual and financial support to make
the education possible.
So let us take a moment to recognize those who are not wearing caps and gowns - the parents,
grandparents, spouses, partners, friends, all of whom have supported and contributed to your
success.
I also want to congratulate the faculty and staff of UC - those of you who have given your
lives to teaching young people at the University of Cincinnati. The greatest gift is the gift of
knowledge.
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And I want to congratulate the graduates. You are closing an important chapter in your lives
and are well prepared to start an exciting new one, full of further opportunities for growth and
development. As life progresses, I‟m sure you will dip into the book of knowledge and
wisdom that UC has prepared you with.
For my part, I am grateful for having had the chance to attend UC and for what it has given
me over the years – something we don‟t always realise at the time.
First, I‟m grateful for the great memories of the many Bearcats or UC basketball games; and I
am glad to see that they are still going strong. The concerts at the College Conservatory of
Music or simply relaxing with the sailing club at Lake Cowan or drinking at Arnold‟s bar.
I am glad to see that it has only gotten better: special congratulations to the dance team for
their world championship this year. Truly remarkable.
Second, I‟m grateful for the incredible opportunity that I was offered to study here. I did not
have the financial means, but fortunately others believed in me and made a scholarship
possible. I might not be where I am today without their support.
Third, grateful for the knowledge passed on by great professors such as Dr Craycroft,
Melnyck, Barncroft, Gallo, Lee and many others. According to the most ancient Indian
scriptures called the Vedas or book of knowledge: Blessed are the people who impart
knowledge. Even more blessed are those who receive knowledge.
But what I am most grateful for is that I met my wife Kim here 30 years ago. She is with me
today. We met in a class called Collective Bargaining, perhaps one of the most useful
courses I ever took, as we are still applying the lessons we learned – although she claims I
always win! There is no doubt, however, that I am greatly indebted to Kim for her support
over all these years.
Good memories, but this is not the day for looking back...
As you look to the future, you could be forgiven for reflecting on the words of Charles
Dickens who, had he been around during the first decade of the 21st century, might have
observed:
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It was the best times, it was the worst of times.
On the one hand, the opportunities for young people have never been greater. Freedoms are
far more secure, choice is more plentiful, health care more advanced.
The process of globalization has brought better living standards to many, and opened up
opportunities for travel, work and study in many corners of the globe.
But in parts of the world, including in the US, people‟s sense of well-being and contentment
is being obscured by an undercurrent of anxiety. For many, the world today seems a hostile
and uncertain place.
The challenges are well captured in the themes of a speech I remember clearly from the
President if the United States…
A deepening, international recession….a crisis of confidence at home and a lack of respect
abroad…an impending energy crisis and the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil…
ending conflict and restoring peace in the Middle East….
However, these words were not only resounded by President Obama in 2009 but by President
Carter in 1979, the year when I sat where you are today.
The challenges today may seem intractable but they are not new.
No question that recent events in the world economy have caused many to question the very
role of modern capitalism.
From the reckless pursuit of high risk returns to the collapse of Ponzi schemes, people‟s
confidence has been shaken and undermined, and rightfully so.
Trust in business is at an all time low, especially in the US. The only people to score lower
are politicians in some countries.
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At no other time in history has the need for leadership driven by a strong foundation of ethics
been greater. At the same time, never before has the opportunity to develop a better world
been greater. A favourite of mine is the Chinese word for "crisis", which can be interpreted as
“opportunity”.
There are important decisions required to balance short term issues - such as the economic
crisis - with longer term challenges: climate change, poverty alleviation, sustainable growth.
Not easy, but I am an optimist.
It will take leadership and courage to solve the problems you are inheriting; you will all have
to take an active role in shaping the solution.
But I am encouraged by what I see among young people… the fresh thinking, the ideas, the
ability to move boundaries, the comfort with technology – all are qualities needed to find
solutions.
Today, more than ever, there needs to be a focus on shared values, and not just shareholder
value. Besides, it should be no surprise that the reward for pursuing shared values will
ultimately result in share value.
Some business gurus argue that there are 3 Ps of Prosperity: Productivity. Performance.
Profit.
And in a cold, analytical sense, it is hard to argue. But I want to leave you with thoughts on 3
other Ps, ones that have guided me and which I think you will find are better companions to
your journey.
First, purpose. Be purpose driven and values-led. Don‟t measure success by status or
money, but by a deeper sense of commitment and purpose. The Dali Lama put it perfectly:
"If you seek enlightenment for yourself simply to enhance yourself and your position, you
miss the purpose. If you seek enlightenment for yourself to enable you to serve others, you
are with purpose."
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More than ever, we need a new kind of ethical leadership driven by a deeper sense of purpose
and belonging, and a higher sense of ethics and responsibility.
Clearly events of the last few months have shown the liberty alone is not enough. As Victor
Frankle, a survivor of Nazi Camps in Germany wrote in his book, "In search of meaning", in
addition to erecting the Statue of Liberty on the East coast, we should have erected a Statue
of Responsibility on the West coast.
This applies just as much to the corporate being as it does to the human being. At Unilever, a
company with $60 billion turnover and with products reaching over 2 billion consumers a day
around the world, we take our responsibilities seriously and want communities to prosper as
much from our activities as we do from our business. We call this “doing well by doing
good.”
My second message is to pursue your passion. Some will say: find a purpose and your
passion will follow. Most of you will spend more than 50 hours a week working. That‟s
about 40% of your waking hours. If you choose to follow money rather than a fulfilling
career, I guarantee you will be earning it the hard way instead of enjoying what you do. Not
to mention that it‟s very difficult to give 100% - let alone 110% - if you do not enjoy what
you do.
Unlike billions of people living in poverty, we are among the fortunate few: well educated,
well off and with the opportunity to make a difference. We owe it to ourselves – and others –
not to squander the opportunity. You can choose the work that you love to do and love what
you do. Do it with passion. And try to be all you can be.
My third message is simply to be positive. Maintain a positive attitude in all you do. Look
for opportunities rather than problems or obstacles.
I‟m often asked if I am „a glass half empty‟ or „glass half full‟ type of person. My answer
usually depends on whether I‟m drinking or pouring.
But seriously, even in difficult times, be a real optimist. Be a „glass half full‟ person. And if
the glass appears half empty – redesign the glass.
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In other words, be aware of the problems but recognize solutions, know about difficulties but
believe they can be overcome, see the negatives but accentuate the positives. When exposed
to the worst, expect the best and when you have reasons to complain, choose to smile.
My father often told me a story about the carrot, the egg, and the coffee beans. Each was
dropped into boiling water.
The carrot went in strong and solid, but the boiling water made it soft, mushy, and weak. The
egg was fragile to start, but quickly hardened and changed colours. The coffee beans,
however, were unique. Instead of hardening or softening, they changed the flavour of the
water around them. If you are like coffee beans, when the heat of life or work becomes
unbearable and things are at their worst, change the water around you and look for
opportunities to have an impact.
And always remember, there are others for whom staying positive is a daily necessity and not
a matter of choice. I‟m always humbled by the people I work with at the Boston-based
Perkins School, the world‟s leading institute for the education of blind and deaf blind
children, where I have the honour to be chairman of the international advisory board. Despite
the many challenges they and their students face, they have a simple, powerful, and inspiring
slogan, one that encapsulates their positive spirit: "All we see is possibility."
So, if I can leave you with three messages: look for a deeper sense of purpose; pursue what
you do with passion, and maintain a positive attitude. These are well-established ingredients
to success.
But don't forget one important component that will help bring meaning to it all:
Simply count your blessings from time to time. Enjoy each moment. Be grateful and
thankful for what you have. Think occasionally of the less fortunatey young people at the
Perkins School for the Blind, and the 2 billion people living below the poverty line, and count
your blessings.
You are fortunate, you are blessed. Use it wisely. Go out and let your actions speak. Be
leaders in all you do. I wish you well on your journey.
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Thank you again for letting me be a part of this joyous occasion. It was my privilege to be
with you today.
Congratulations once more to the class of 2009.
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