Best Speech Ever - Lessons from a 3rd Grade Dropout - Dr Rick Rigsby

Summary

Dr. Rick Rigsby, a former journalist and professor, delivers an inspiring commencement speech at California Maritime Academy. Drawing from his experiences and wisdom imparted by his father, a third-grade dropout, Rigsby emphasizes the importance of combining knowledge with wisdom to make a significant impact. He urges graduates to live with integrity, kindness, and excellence, sharing personal stories that underscore resilience and the power of influence in leadership.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Rick Rigsby is a respected commencement speaker with a diverse background, including journalism, academia, and leadership coaching.
• 🏆 His educational journey culminated in a PhD from the University of Oregon, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including two-time recipient of the outstanding teaching award from Texas A&M.
• 📚 Dr. Rigsby emphasizes the importance of combining academic knowledge with wisdom from life experiences to make a significant impact.
• 👨‍🏫 He draws on the wisdom of his father, a third-grade dropout, who taught himself to read and write and became a role model of excellence.
• 🌟 Dr. Rigsby encourages graduates to aim high, using quotes from figures like Michelangelo and Henry Ford to illustrate the importance of setting and achieving lofty goals.
• 🕰 He advocates for punctuality, with a personal anecdote about his father always being early as a demonstration of striving for excellence.
• 🤝 Kindness is highlighted as a key virtue, with the message that kind deeds are never lost and can command the world's attention.
• 🧽 The metaphor of 'finding your broom' is used to convey the idea of taking on tasks, no matter how small, to grow influence and make an impact.
• 💬 Dr. Rigsby shares personal stories of loss and resilience, using his experience to impart the lesson that 'rock-bottom' can be a foundation for growth.
• 👨‍👦 He imparts the final lesson from his father: 'Just stand,' emphasizing perseverance and the importance of continuing to stand no matter the challenges faced.
• 💖 The speech concludes with an emotional story about living with purpose and making every day count, as exemplified by his late wife Trina's final words.

Q & A

Who was the commencement speaker at the event described in the transcript?

Dr. Rick Rigsby was the commencement speaker at the event.

What significant educational achievement did Dr. Rick Rigsby accomplish after his journalism career?

Dr. Rick Rigsby earned a PhD from the University of Oregon after his journalism career.

What role did Dr. Rick Rigsby serve at Texas A&M University for many years?

Dr. Rick Rigsby served as a character coach and chaplain for the Aggies football team at Texas A&M University.

What is the profession of Dr. Rick Rigsby's father, as mentioned in the transcript?

Dr. Rick Rigsby's father was a cook at California Maritime Academy.

What valuable combination does Dr. Rigsby suggest for personal growth and impact?

Dr. Rigsby suggests combining academic knowledge with wisdom for personal growth and impact.

What is the title of the book authored by Dr. Rick Rigsby that he mentioned in his speech?

The title of the book authored by Dr. Rick Rigsby is 'Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout'.

What important life lesson did Dr. Rigsby's father teach him about not judging people?

Dr. Rigsby's father taught him not to judge people and to get to know them instead.

What advice did Dr. Rigsby's father give him about punctuality?

Dr. Rigsby's father advised him to be an hour early rather than a minute late.

What is the significance of the phrase 'make sure your servant's towel is bigger than your ego' in Dr. Rigsby's speech?

The phrase signifies the importance of humility and service over ego and self-importance.

What personal tragedy did Dr. Rigsby experience, and how did it shape his perspective on life?

Dr. Rigsby experienced the loss of his wife, Trina, to breast cancer, which led him to value how one lives their life and the wisdom gained from personal struggles.

What final lesson did Dr. Rigsby's father impart to him at the casket of his deceased wife?

Dr. Rigsby's father imparted the lesson to 'just keep standing' no matter the circumstances.