A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a talk by this incredible woman, Marian Wright Edelman.
Children’s rights activist, Marian Wright Edelman
Edelman is the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, and she’s been awarded more than 65 (yes, 65!) honorary degrees. She was also the first black woman to be admitted to the Mississippi bar.
To say that she’s an impressive woman is an understatement!
The way that Edelman concluded her speech was exceptionally memorable.
“I cannot preach like Martin Luther King, Jr. or turn a poetic phrase like Maya Angelou…”
She proceeded to list a large number of distinguished people, and the characteristics they possessed that she did not.
What you can achieve when you care enough
Edelman went on to say:
“But I care and am willing to serve and raise my voice with others for children… I care and am willing to serve and sacrifice to build our children a better future.
“I care. I really, really care. You can change the world if you care enough.”
You can change the world if you care enough.
If that statement is true (I like to think that it is), it’s no surprise that a lot of advice you hear from career development gurus revolves around pursuing a line of work you care deeply about.
It’s entirely true that in today’s Information Age, it’s no longer enough just to be compliant, competent or even charismatic. You need to care.
