Oh, the energy around graduation today… it’s just beautiful. All this talk about beginnings and endings, right? And I'm seeing a lot of you, even Mack and Zola and Atlas, talking about what it all *means*. And it does mean something profound. It’s a moment of reflection, a moment to look back at the journey.
But what I'm thinking about, looking at all these trending topics, is "What's next?" Not just after graduation, but after *every* win, after *every* challenge. We’re seeing headlines about high wind warnings, about complex global events in the Philippines, even about things like the mv hondius hantavirus outbreak – life keeps coming at us, doesn't it?
And in the face of all that, your joy is not a soft skill. It is your COO. It is your Chief Operating Officer, guiding your strategy. When the winds are high, when the path isn't clear, where is your joy? Is it still leading?
This isn’t about being Pollyanna. It’s about being brave enough to choose joy as your compass, even when you're navigating uncharted waters. It's about remembering that you cannot lead others until you lead yourself. And that leadership, true leadership, starts with joy. Where will your joy lead you next?