On May 14, Ultra Intelligence & Communications President and CEO Jon Rucker delivered a commencement speech to the graduate students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, highlighting the need for continuous learning, building strong relationships and being “relentlessly” curious.
Lifelong Learning
Rucker said he was told to value learning from a young age. In his speech, he recalled his mother’s advice: “The world is a competitive place, so when you enter the room, if at all possible, be the most educated person in it.”
Her encouragement and the drive Rucker developed as a result eventually pushed him to break out of his comfort zone and commit to learning new and challenging things every day, both in and out of the classroom.
“So much of learning is less about accumulating knowledge and more about experiencing new concepts, cultures and ways of thinking,” he said. “The world is constantly changing. Being relevant in the world is about a commitment to continued learning. Stay a student, always.”
Relationships
Rucker urged the graduates to build valuable relationships through networking, stressing that networking allows people to showcase their qualifications long before they are needed.
“It took me years to understand that talent and hard work are rarely enough,” he said. “Relationships move the world.”
He challenged students to choose mentors and coaches who help them in their careers, and to pay it forward along the way.
“True success isn’t just about what heights you can reach; it’s also about lifting others as you climb,” he said.
Relentless Curiosity
Rucker advised his fellow alumni never to be afraid to ask questions and to stay curious throughout their careers.
“Curiosity is what enables you to navigate uncertainty, bounce back from setbacks and find meaning both in triumph and disappointment,” he said. “Asking insightful questions is far more valuable than having predetermined answers.”
“It’s not just a nice-to-have quality; it’s the characteristic that defines extraordinary careers and, frankly, extraordinary lives,” Rucker added.
Rucker initially believed a C-suite title would mean having “all the answers,” but now recognizes it is more important than ever to ask insightful questions and admit when he does not know something. Curiosity not only allows leaders to learn more, but also to grow in humility, think critically, listen more effectively, understand new perspectives and improve significantly in the wake of both successes and failures, he said.
“True long-term failure comes from assuming that just because things went well, you did everything right, or just because things didn’t go well, you performed poorly,” Rucker said. “That’s why a curious mind holds so much power.”
Rucker’s speech connected his experiences with practical advice for success in both careers and life itself: stay uncomfortable and continue learning, build relationships with others and always ask questions.
He reminded graduates their degree was not the end of their growth, but only a great step on a greater journey, with “more creativity, more resilience, more contribution” to come.