Too often, bad news travels fast. However, the good news that inspires us to see a wider world is left behind.

Fortunately, this brilliant speech has found its way through.

I was sent this from a friend in Academia who devours speeches and, like me, likes nothing more than a great commencement speech.

If we wish to empower people to be the very best they can be and help lead their communities, we need to live the values we aspire to.

This is simply an awesome speech from J. B. Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois, to Northwestern University's Class of 2023.

The speech inspires us to change the way we perceive kindness but also implores us to do away with cruelty and embrace kindness and empathy in a world where such values are often dismissed as weaknesses.

‘The best way to spot an idiot? Look for the person who is cruel’.

To quote Pritzker, ‘Many important people look at the vulnerable only as rungs on a ladder to the top. ‘I'm here to tell you that when someone's path through this world is marked with acts of cruelty, they have failed the first test of an advanced society – the kindest person in the room is often the smartest’.

Put aside 2mins and watch this brief (the full speech is brilliant, too).