Singer, Songwriter
Commencement speech at High Point University, 2018
Internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban delivered a commencement speech at High Point University, He shared personal anecdotes about overcoming self-doubt, emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted individuals.Groban highlighted the significance of gratitude, the value of offline connections, and the impact of giving back to society.10 top life lessons by Josh Groban
- Embrace Challenges: Embrace challenging and worthwhile pursuits, as failure in such endeavors is more fulfilling than success in safe, uninspiring ventures.
- Value Fear as a Sign of Passion: Recognize that fear stemming from a desire to follow one’s passion is constructive and essential for personal and professional growth.
- Build a Supportive Circle: Surround yourself with individuals who understand your struggles and genuinely believe in your potential, fostering a supportive network.
- Navigate Self-Doubt: Acknowledge that self-doubt is a natural part of the journey; plow through it, as confidence is developed through persistent effort.
- Prioritize Genuine Connections: Cultivate a meaningful offline circle, emphasizing quality over quantity in relationships, focusing on the five people you would invite to dinner.
- Learn Through Experience: Collect experiences and face situations that challenge you, recognizing that there are no shortcuts to competence, and each challenge contributes to personal growth.
- Accept Missteps as Growth: Understand that missteps are inevitable, but their impact is minimal if they are part of a journey towards progress and personal development.
- Seek Fulfillment Beyond Success: Value aspects that bring true happiness and fulfillment, such as meaningful relationships with friends, loved ones, and even pets.
- Use Your Voice for Good: Recognize the responsibility of having a voice and utilize it for the greater good, contributing positively to society and making a meaningful impact.
- Embrace Life’s Unpredictability: Embrace the weirdness and unpredictability of life with confidence, understanding that each individual has something unique to offer to the world.
Best quotes of Josh Groban‘s speech
"Your responsibility is vital; use your voices for the greater good.""There are no shortcuts to feeling competent; it's the work that matters."
Commencement speech transcript
Before he became the internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and actor that he is today, Josh Groban was afraid to sing in front of anyone, including his own parents. Today, he told more than 1,000 graduates, High Point University’s largest graduating class, and 10,000 guests in attendance that his fear propelled him to places of success. He charged the students to never back away from challenges and to always trust their instincts.
Groban, who was forced to the front of his chorus class at the age of 13, singing only on assignment, told the audience that fear is a great thing.
“I believe that it would be better to fail at doing something challenging, something worthwhile, and something I’m excited to show the world than to succeed doing something safe, something that wouldn’t actually inspire much at all,” he told graduates. “You learn with experience that some fear is the good stuff. Not all. But when the fear comes from a place of wanting to follow through with passion – something you believe in, it’s good. When it comes to your future experiences, as you enter the world with your knowledge and excitement, as you choose opportunities, always remember: if you aren’t scared, be worried.”
Having uncovered his passion for singing, Groban enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University and formed a plan. He was going to be a theater graduate and slowly work his way to Broadway before another opportunity arose – a record deal.
“You are here today because you said yes to the opportunity that High Point University offered you,” Groban told the graduates. “You took that wonderful leap when they offered it to you. And behind that were more ‘yeses’ and more times you could have not jumped at something when not jumping would have been so much easier and safer. When you’re not sure that someone else’s ideas for your life are right for you, when they tell you what you should do, it’s those gut-check moments that are valuable and often times hard to act on. Work that muscle. Don’t be afraid to hurt a little while you do.”
Groban shared the story of his first major performance opportunity. He was 16 years old, trying to become a professional singer, and he received a call from music producer David Foster. Foster asked if he would be able to fill in for a Grammy Award rehearsal and perform a duet with Celine Dion. Groban, feeling unprepared, declined the offer. But the producer called Groban back and demanded that he come perform.
“He called back because he heard something in me and saw what I didn’t,” said Groban. “We’re not always going to know when it’s the right time to say yes and the right time to say no. Surround yourself with people you trust and who get you. People who get your demons and believe in you, not just in what you have to offer them. Surround yourself with people who don’t mind saying it like it is. Keep them close. They have literally saved my life and career in more ways than they know.”
Groban also encouraged graduates to get past their nerves and forge ahead.
“Every day of the first few years of my career, I felt like I was faking it,” he said. “My confidence was a sham. I was a student and a professional at the same time. On stage, I was crushing it. Off stage, I was a ball of doubt. I’m sure you’ve all felt that during the course of your time here, and you’re sure to feel it when you leave. That is natural, it’s human and it’s okay. Plow through it.”
The singer concluded his speech with a serenade to the class of 2018, singing a piece from the musical “Sunday in the Park with George,” written by one of his favorite composers, Stephen Sondheim.