Vasella's Speech

Below is an excerpt from the speech Daniel Vasella made on the passing out day at ISB. He has summed up in simple words what many of us will take years to learn from experience.

I hope that you join a firm that inspires you by the purpose it fulfills for society. Work should not just be about money or power, but about an aspiration to contribute. As leaders, people will expect more from you than from others and they should. Accept this responsibility and act accordingly. Remember that money and power can corrupt. There will be temptations to misuse your knowledge and influence. You will need strength and character to resist. In any case you will know if you fail, although it may be invisible to others. This will undermine your self-assurance. Finally, I’d like to share with you some thoughts that are very important, but which you probably won’t hear a lot about in your career. There will be days when you feel the pleasure of accomplishment. But the truth is, there will be times when you are disappointed, angry or sad. This is normal. Have the confidence to accept these feelings, trust your self, be genuine, and also transparent with others. Be yourself and don’t try to play a role. Tough days never last forever and after follow the good days. Your family and friends will support you in difficult times, therefore understand and respect also their needs and strike the right balance for yourself and for them Dear students, today I shared some of my beliefs and insights with you. I would have liked to pass on all my knowledge and experience, which of course I cannot. I wish you success, financial rewards and a great job But above all I wish you wisdom, the ability to respect others, the fortitude to resist temptations, the generosity to help those in need, and the awareness that we are all humans, with all our human strengths and weaknesses. The new land is yours – at least for some time – make the best out of it, it’s up to you. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world. Infinite striving to be the best is man’s duty, it is its own reward. Everything else is in God’s hands.”

The string of failures I have been having lately has taught me one thing. Be patient and bid your time. Your time will come, if not now, a little later. After all failures are there to inspire us to try harder, whatever be the stakes. Here's a link to the whole speech. http://www.isb.edu/campussbuzz1/newz_vasellaspeech_gday.htm