"The person who you’re with most in life is yourself and if you don’t like yourself you’re always with somebody you don’t like."
Daniel H. Pink at Ringling School of Art and Design
May 2004
"I was nervous when I started that job—just as many of you are nervous about the careers you're about to begin. Then I read something that Peggy Noonan once said. Peggy Noonan, who wrote speeches for President Reagan, said she had a three-stage reaction to working in the White House.
Stage One: I hope nobody figures out how stupid I am.
Stage Two, after few months in the White House: Hey, I'm as smart as everyone else.
Then a few months later came Stage Three: Oh my God, we're in charge?
That three-stage reaction has been the same no matter where I've worked. It may be the defining recurrence of my adult life. And trust me: I guarantee you'll have a similar reaction no matter where you choose to ply your trade.
And so, Ringling class of 2004, on this happy day, I've got some news for you: Oh my God, you're in charge."
All the way from Hollywood, Bradley Whitford returned to Madison, WI in 2006 and delivered a great speech, with really sensible advice.
» Read more from this graduation speech
▫ Paul Hawken, entrepreneur
▫ Larry Bock, businessman
▫ Jessica Lange, actress
▫ Larry Lucchino, businessman
▫ J.K. Rowling, writer
▫ John Mackey, businessman
▫ Katie Couric, TV journalist
▫ Bradley Whitford, actor
▫ Brian Kenny, sportscaster
▫ Ray Sidney, businessman
▫ Bill Watterson, cartoonist
▫ Oprah Winfrey, talk show host
▫ Paul Glaser, actor and director
▫ Woody Hayes, college football coach