Talent Searches
Giftedness: Accolades and Responsibilities
2003 TIP Grand Recognition Ceremony Keynote Address
May 19, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at Duke University Chapel
By Douglas C. Zinn
I learned the 3 b's of public speaking from a member of Durham's City Council — "Be seen, be brief, and be seated."
That is my pledge to you.
I have spent most of my adult career in the nonprofit sector. After graduation from college, I was engaged in basic science research for several years at Duke University Medical Center. That was followed by my current position of being involved in philanthropic organizations, over twenty years ago.
Since you have demonstrated great academic maturity, I will address you differently than an average group of students at your stage. Although I have been disappointed with many adults' lack of judgment, I have also been encouraged by many young people's insight, courage, and wisdom.
I am very honored to be among the brilliant today. I have been involved with TIP's National Advisory Board for over seven years, and it is the highlight of all the activities in which I am engaged as a volunteer. It is a particular pleasure to be here today with the best of the best. My hat is off, not only to the honorees, but to their parents as well. Being a parent myself, I am fully aware of the critical role you play in your children's lives. I don't think enough credit will ever be given to Leopold Mozart for the vital role he played in nurturing, fostering, and endorsing young Wolfgang's talents. BRAVO—PARENTS!
Parents are the perfect segue to relating my strong beliefs about the value of mentors in one's life. My parents were my first mentors, and I am blessed with having the very best.
Albert Sweitzer once said that, "to teach by example is not one way, it is the only way." My parents were, and still are, great role models for me. As we grow through the various stages from childhood to adult, we may not always realize the infinite wisdom our parents impart. However, I can assure you, one realizes that rather quickly when one becomes a parent.
Other mentors come to us in many ways. They can be friends, teachers, employers, or community members. I have had many mentors over the last five decades and I have gleaned valuable insight from all of them. I must admit, I haven't always agreed with my mentors or the ways in which they handled situations. However, one must embrace the strengths of each individual and learn from their failings.
You will be, and maybe you already are, a mentor. Whether we are with peers or individuals that are our juniors or seniors, our influence can never be underestimated.
Seek eminence not fame. The latter tends to be fleeting, disappointing, and very shallow. It is easy to fall into the fame trap, especially when the media plays up the glitz and glamour of front-page stories. Fame tends to be marketed with fortune—both of which can be lost as fast as they are gained.
Eminence, however, implies important contributions were and are being made. Although it is more difficult to achieve, the rewards of eminence transcend the accomplishments themselves.
Of one thing I am very sure—always maintain one's commitment to excellence. Second rate performance is never a substitute. You have already proven this by your steadfast allegiance to this important fact. I know you will maintain this commitment throughout your life.
Never be apprehensive to take on an important educational or vocational opportunity for fear of failure. Failure is an underrated and misunderstood part of life. Most people dwell upon the negative aspects of failure, although, I think it can play an essential role in our development as complete and well-balanced individuals. In his book, To Engineer is Human, Duke University Professor of Engineering, Dr. Henry Petroski, points out that engineers learn far more from their failures than they do from their successes.
It might seem odd to bring up failure at an awards ceremony where extremely bright and talented students are being celebrated for their successes. However, I have always believed that true character manifests itself in adversity. Anyone can be a fabulous individual when life is great. However, there are times in life when challenges stretch our limits. We need to meet these demands, and the one who is aware of his or her capabilities is destined for success.
Encourage constructive criticism of your work. It is very difficult to be objective about one's performance. I realize criticism isn't always palatable, especially if one feels one has done a stellar job. Dvorák once said, "No one has ever erected a statue of a critic." However, critical discourse is an invaluable tool in one's educational process.
Live your life on hope, not fear. Choose an upbeat outlook on each situation in which you are involved. It is easy to be negative. Always seek out positive aspects of any challenging situation.
The French have a saying, "l'enthousiasme est la seule vertu" — "enthusiasm is the sole virtue." I am an intrepid enthusiast. I will take on any situation with unmitigated alacrity. That is the main reason I always come away with something I didn't have previously. It is an ingredient for fulfillment. Creativity blossoms when work becomes a form of play. Enthusiasm, coupled with wit and excellence, is the ticket for a rewarding life.
There is a very simple concept that seems to be confused constantly—take one's job seriously, not oneself. I have seen too many individuals confuse this simple, yet essential modus operandi for a happy life.
One of my heroes is the late Terry Sanford. He was Governor of North Carolina, President of Duke University, and one of North Carolina's U.S. Senators. In 1982 Duke made it on the cover of the New York Times Magazine as a "hot" college. The press was all over Terry with accolades for the admirable job he had done to lead Duke into international prominence.
Terry was never one to take compliments too seriously, and his response said a great deal about his approach to every challenge he ever encountered. He said, "There never is an end to building a great institution." I feel this is how we must look at ourselves. No one ever "arrives." It is an unending journey.
You have been blessed with special gifts. With these gifts come certain responsibilities. I hope I can encourage all of you to participate in the nonprofit sector. Some of you may wonder what defines the for-profit from the nonprofit sectors. A simple difference is that a for-profit organization has shareholders who can receive financial benefits from the organization. In a nonprofit organization, this is not the case.
Service is the reward, not financial gain.
When one picks up the newspaper, one is struck by all of the negative news. However, there are so many positive things happening in our towns, states, regions, and country. Many of which never make it to the front page. A great portion of this inspiring and essential good work is being done through the nonprofit sector. The only way to learn about it is to get involved. I promise you that you will not only be proud to be part of it, it will change you with profundity.
About ten years ago, I spoke to a small group of recent college graduates who had started nonprofit organizations in Durham. The areas of organizational service ranged from developing public gardens in low-income, high-crime neighborhoods to working with young Latinos, assisting them in their transition to our culture, and helping them with employment opportunities. Many of these fine young people had started their nonprofits when they were undergraduates and they had been at it for about two to four years after commencement.
I detected a degree of angst in some of them. As we proceeded further into our discussion, I realized they were having guilt feelings about wanting to leave the nonprofit sector and venture into the for-profit sector. Several admitted they loved what they were doing, however, they weren't making enough money. Some wanted to buy a car, others wanted to travel, get married, or apply to graduate school. They felt like they were selling out, and they had very mixed emotions.
I told them there is a balance between one's ambition and one's compassion. I lauded them for the marvelous contributions they had already made and told them it may be time to move on to pursue their other plans. I encouraged them to be bankers, lawyers, doctors, or whatever profession they chose. However, I knew they would be different bankers, lawyers, and doctors because of the time they had spent serving the needs of this community. I knew they would all come back to the nonprofit sector later, to play a role in the many volunteer opportunities that were available.
When it is all said and done, the true test of a fulfilling life is the venerable Rotary International motto — "Service Above Self". If one is keeping score, that is what really counts.
The aforementioned information is not intended to be a "Life for Dummies." Many of the items I mentioned are self-evident. However, the self-evident lessons in life are overlooked many times. I hope this précis is useful.
I will leave you with this profound excerpt from James Patterson's book entitled, Suzanne's Diary for Nicolas. This is a message for anyone, at any stage of life:
"Imagine life is like a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And, you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls—family, health, friends, and integrity—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, and perhaps even shattered. And, once you understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginning of balance in your life."
Congratulations to all of you on this thrilling day. My hat is off to you for your marvelous achievements. Always live up to your accolades and never on them. I am sure I will be reading about you in the near future. I know your parents and teachers are extremely proud of you, as are we. You honor us by your presence here today and you give us great hope for a bright future. Thank you.