Melinda French Gates offers insights on how successful individuals adapt to life's changes.

Even for a billionaire like Melinda French Gates, the only constant in life is change.

"French Gates, 59, stated during a commencement speech at Stanford University on Sunday that he frequently thinks about transitions. "Navigating all kinds of transitions is a part of getting to my age," he said. "Some transitions you embrace, while others take you by surprise. Some you hope for, and some you fight as hard as you can.""

She began her career at Microsoft, experienced falling in love, having children, and building a portfolio as a philanthropist. However, some of her experiences were more jarring, such as losing a friend to cancer, ending her marriage, and stepping down from her role as co-chair for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which she ran with her ex-husband Bill Gates for years.

French Gates has shared three "lessons" on how highly successful individuals handle uncertainty, which can be helpful for those currently facing changes in their life and career or looking to prepare for future challenges.

Practice 'radical open-heartedness'

French Gates advised embracing moments of change, whether they're exciting, frustrating or tragic, with an open heart.

"French Gates stated that during a transition, we leave our comfort zone and enter an unfamiliar environment. There are two ways to approach these spaces: either we focus on finding the quickest route to familiarity or we have the courage to explore the liminality and discover its message."

French Gates acknowledged that many people, including herself when she was younger, preferred to keep their head down and power through uncertainty. She explained that she had a list of goals she wanted to accomplish and would race across the clearing to the last one as soon as she checked one off the list. However, as she grew older, she learned the importance of embracing uncertainty.

Instead of saying, "I'm anxious about starting this new job," tell yourself, "I'm excited to learn and grow in this new role."

French Gates stated that, in his view, practicing open-heartedness involves that.

Find your 'small wave'

Ram Dass narrated a spiritual tale about two waves in the ocean, one large and one small. Concerned by the other waves crashing on the shore, the larger wave cautioned the smaller one about impending doom.

The small wave comforted the large one, stating, "You're not finished... You're not a wave. You are water."

Frequently, she didn't know how she'd overcome her battles, but she had a loved one beside her to encourage her.

"When I first started working at Microsoft, my colleague was named Charlotte. Although I loved the work we were doing, I eventually realized that I didn't enjoy the company culture. It was too brash and aggressive, which didn't align with my personality."

"After reaching a point where I considered leaving the company, I thought my journey had come to an end. However, Charlotte's guidance helped me see things from a different perspective. As someone with more experience, she had already learned how to maintain her identity while navigating the company's culture."

Gates advises young professionals to develop trustworthy and knowledgeable relationships, and to encourage others by being a "small wave."

'Build a web of deserved trust'

Charlie Munger, who served as vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway for many years, provided French Gates' final piece of advice.

"Charlie famously stated that the pinnacle of civilization is a web of trust. Completely dependable individuals, accurately trusting one another," she said. "That's something to strive for."

"French Gates stated that as a society, we often lack the responsibility to care for those around us, whether it's someone next to us or on the opposite side of a divide or debate. However, he emphasized the importance of interdependence, as everyone will encounter moments when they need support or when they need to support others."

Stanford's recent graduates were encouraged by French Gates to establish "strong and reciprocal" relationships with others, even if they hold differing opinions on significant or minor matters.

"Community is the key to rebuilding a broken world," she emphasized. "Together, we can mend what has been shattered."

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