Aer poking around on that ragtag piano, experimenting with
different combinations of cords and keys, Jarrett leaned into
the mess he was handed and used the full range of the piano's
limited musical dimensions to provide a creative and unique
performance. You see, mindset is a deliberate and intentional
choice. So my first piece of advice to you is to embrace chal-
lenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on
learning.
Both Jarrett's commitment to go forward with the perfor-
mance and the way he used the full range of the practice piano's
capabilities were only possible because of the confidence he
had in his own ability to successfully improvise. You have
earned a degree from a leading business school at a top-ranked
university. You have the knowledge and tools to succeed. But
achieving that success might require a different route and
might require your own improvisation to achieve it. As the
Dalai Lama said, "With realization of one's own potential and
self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world."
Research has shown that the best way for us to help
ourselves when we are feeling down is to help others in need.
As Jarrett himself later recalled, "I was able to put aside the
frustration of the defective piano and I didn't notice the pain
of my aching back once I agreed to go ahead with the concert
because of how much it meant to Vera." We are in a world that
needs your talent and ambition more than ever—and you
might find that by helping others in need, you will be the ulti-
mate winner.
And just like Jarrett, will you use your talent, ambition
and all the tools and resources at your disposal to take this
mess that you have inherited—through no fault of your own—
and turn it into something creative, beautiful, enduring and
lasting? I know you will. You will choose to have the mindset,
bring about your self-confidence and help yourself by assisting
others to make a lasting and important impact on the world.
And that is what we all need now, more than ever.
In addition to remarks from the dean,
Bob Swan, BS '83, and alumni around
the globe offered words of wisdom for
our graduates. View their remarks at
http://bit.ly/ubmgtgrad2020.
THE MESS
Autumn 2020 Buffalo Business 17
