It might be too late for most graduation organizers to implement Seth Godin’s recommendations in his recent piece, “Rethinking Graduation.” But he poses two seemingly small but (I think) significant questions that I believe can drive much better behavior around just about any project, practice or tradition: (1) Who’s it for? (2) What’s it for? As Godin describes, “When we ask those two questions, great opportunities arrive.”
Homecoming, senior prom, the lunchtime rally, etc.—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
Performing community service—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
Getting a summer job—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
Test prep—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
Counselors organizing a “Junior Parent Night” for the high school—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
Going to college—who’s it for, and what’s it for?
The right answer may not always be clear, which is exactly why you ask the questions.