Insights & InquiryReflections
What If Changing the World Begins With Changing Just One Life?
A reflection on Admiral McRaven’s message, the power of helping others discover their potential, and the ripple effects of individual actions.
In his 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas, Admiral William H. McRaven shared ten lessons about changing the world. I’ve returned to that speech countless times over the years, and while his message about perseverance and never giving up has always resonated with me, two other lessons have had an even more profound impact.
The first was his illustration of how changing the lives of just ten people could create a ripple effect extending across generations. The second was his encouragement to go through life lifting up the downtrodden.
I’ve been reflecting on those messages this morning, and they reminded me of something I’ve come to believe deeply about leadership and our responsibility to one another.
Helping someone through a difficult moment can change their day. Helping them discover the strength, confidence, and capabilities to navigate future challenges can change their life.
To me, lifting others up isn’t simply about providing support when they fall. While recognizing someone in need and offering a helping hand is important, it is often the more straightforward part. The greater challenge, and perhaps the more meaningful contribution, is recognizing potential they may not yet see in themselves, creating opportunities for growth, and empowering them to stand on their own, perhaps even stronger than before.
This belief has become a common thread throughout much of my work, from organizational leadership to my involvement with Fishing for the Mission 22, the creation of BrainAligned Leadership Institute, and now my doctoral journey at Temple University.
Although these endeavors may appear different on the surface, they share a fundamental purpose:
We may never fully understand the impact we have on another person’s life. And perhaps we don’t need to.
If we can help just one person recognize a possibility they hadn’t previously considered, develop a capability they didn’t know they possessed, or find the courage to take another step forward, that contribution matters.
And if that person goes on to do the same for someone else, the impact may extend far beyond anything we could have imagined.
Admiral McRaven challenged his audience to change the world.
I believe we can begin by helping someone else realize that they can, too.