Core Message
In this speech, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, discusses the distinction between gifts and options and the importance of kindness. He shares a childhood memory of trying to impress his grandmother with his cleverness, only to realize that kindness is more important than intelligence. He urges the audience to use their gifts wisely, make good choices, and not let their intelligence and cleverness blind them to the importance of kindness. He also talks about the marvels of modern technology and the exciting future that lies ahead, and encourages the audience to pursue their passions and take risks.
Primary Takeaway
The main takeaway from Bezos’s speech is the need to refrain from being overly proud of our abilities at the price of the caliber of our decisions. Jeff warns that if you are not careful, “you can seduce yourself with your gifts, and if you do, it will probably be to the detriment of your choices” (Bezos, 2010). He talks about the power of deciding to pursue our dreams and the bravery, conviction, and kindness that accompany making major life decisions.
Personal Anecdote and Moral Lesson
Bezos reflects on his own experiences and describes how his supervisor pushed him to evaluate the soundness of his choice to quit a “good job” and found Amazon. He discusses the skepticism he finally opted to reject when he chose to pursue his ambition instead of accepting the logic of his boss’s reasoning.
“I did not think I would regret trying and failing, and I suspected that choosing to give up would haunt me forever. After giving it much thought, I decided to follow my passion and am happy with that decision” (Bezos, 2010). Jeff challenges his listeners to consider the course of their own lives. He initially presents this concept by sharing a personal experience he had as a small child with his grandparents.
Bezos was a bright child who enjoyed playing with innovation. His grandpa emphasized that it is sometimes preferable to be kind rather than always brilliant, after giving his grandma, a daily smoker, smoking statistics that caused her to get unhappy and start sobbing. “Kindness is a choice – cleverness is a gift” (Bezos, 2010). Gifts are simple since they are provided and available at all times, he says, but decisions you make with these gifts can be challenging.
Broader Themes
The speech focused on making choices, taking risks, and being flexible. Bezos encouraged the graduates not to fear failure and to pursue their passions, even if it meant taking a non-traditional path. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining high personal standards, building relationships, and giving back to society. Having the persistence necessary to overcome significant obstacles to accomplish your objective is crucial (Gradinaru et al., 2020). The speech gave the graduates an inspiring and thought-provoking message as they embarked on their post-college journeys.
Audience Impact and Emotional Appeal
As the speech was delivered at a graduation ceremony, the audience comprised young adults about to enter the workforce. These individuals likely felt mixed emotions, including excitement and uncertainty about the future. The speech encouraged the audience to think deeply about their goals and aspirations and take a long-term view of their careers. The speech seems to inspire and motivate young people to pursue their dreams and be open to new experiences and opportunities. His speech also attracted a wider audience, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, and people interested in technology and innovation.
He talks about his experiences and failures and how he overcame them, which positions him as a credible and reliable source of advice. “I believe that stubbornness, the ability to endure failure repeatedly without giving up, is the true hallmark of a successful person.” (Bezos, 2010). By sharing his story, he makes the graduates feel they can trust him and his message.
Bezos also appeals to the audience’s emotions through his use of storytelling and vivid imagery. “If you want to be an entrepreneur, the most important thing is to be customer-obsessed” (Bezos, 2010). He also uses metaphors, such as the “gift of time” and “one-way door,” to convey the importance of making the most of opportunities when they arise.
References
Bezos, J. (2010). What Matters More Than Your Talents? [Video]. TED. Web.
Gradinaru, C., Toma, S. G., Catana, S., & Andrisán, G. (2020). A view on transformational leadership: The case of Jeff Bezos. Manager, (31), 93-100. Web.