Dash of Courage: Harvard: Back to School

"Sometimes the greatest adventure is simply a conversation." - Amadeus Wolfe

When I was in high school, my girlfriend and I both wanted to go to Harvard. Guess who got in? Not this guy.

Still, I couldn’t shake the fascination.

My freshman year at UGA I sold all my football tickets to afford a plane ticket to Boston just to see the school.

My senior year, after becoming UGA student body president, I led freshmen on a retreat to Harvard where we snuck into a class and met Natalie Portman (a student at the time).

I returned to Harvard many times, never as a student, just to hear speakers like Bill Gates and J.K. Rowling.

Finally, a decade after graduating from UGA, I applied to Harvard Business School. I got the classic rejection letter, “Dear Mr. Gravesen, we regret to inform you…”

After starting another company and traveling the world, eventually I got in.
I had one goal: Meet everyone.
And that meant Everyone.

 I was selected by my classmates at Harvard Business School to be the speaker at graduation. In my speech, I told them about the 15 times I’d visited Harvard—and all the hopes and all the disappointments along the way.

 I also shared that the most powerful lesson didn’t come from a lecture, but a story a professor once told.

And then I shared the story: “Once upon a time a teacher gave a test.

The last question simply said:

“What is the name of the person who cleans this classroom?”

Not a single student could answer the question. Not one.

The professor continued, “A lot of people come into your life. All of them are important. It’s your job to get to know their names, and their stories.”

I told our fellow graduates, “Here at Harvard Business School, his name is Vladimir.
He cleans the blackboards after class every day. He’s a cool guy with a great personality.

His name is Kenny.
He restocks the refrigerators every day. He’s been doing it here at the school more than 20 years.

Her name is May. 
She works in the kitchen, and if you’re really nice to her in the morning, she’ll give you extra Honey Nut Cheerios. Trust me; I know.

Vladimir’s story is important.
Kenny’s story is important.
May’s story is important.
And your story’s important.

 Dash of Courage
As you head into this school year, whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or know someone who is, remember our best education in life is not about credentials, it’s about character.

Don’t get so caught up in chasing greatness that you forget all the people who make life grand.

Vladimir. Kenny. May. 

Every person has a name.
Every name has a story.
Every story matters.

Courage over Comfort,
Garrett