Josh Kraft Visits Lasell University as Michal Longe '95 School of Business Day Keynote Speaker

Boston community leader Josh Kraft H’10 encouraged Lasell students to show up, show humanity, and show vulnerability during a fireside chat to open the ninth annual Michal Longe '95 School of Business Day at Lasell University on March 4.

During a question-and-answer session with Professor Christina Alejandre, the former CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Boston offered advice to students, shared anecdotes from his career, and discussed what he seeks in an employee.

“Whether you’re 22 or 72, you have to be true to yourself,” Kraft told the crowd in de Witt Hall. “It’s about holding onto the values that are important to you.”

More than 100 students attended Kraft’s keynote, which kicked off a day of panel discussions focused on business education and career readiness. Professionals from the Red Sox, Bruins, and other organizations participated.

In addition to treating every encounter as an opportunity to enhance someone's professional and personal network, Kraft urged the students to:

Be present: “Show up when you’re expected to but also when it’s not expected. It will make an indelible mark.”

Be human: “The human touch is important and is missing today. Remember to call and write — it makes a difference.”

Be accountable: “You should always be willing to admit when you’re wrong. Be honest with yourself and show vulnerability.”

Using his failed race for mayor of Boston last fall as an example, Kraft said, “The only way to be successful is to fail. It was a great experience and I learned so much.”

Kraft, who consistently appears on Boston Magazine’s annual list of Most Influential Bostonians, told the students that "it is okay not to have their career path already determined." He recounted that as an undergraduate at Williams College, he planned to become a lawyer — until he took the Law School Admission Test and recorded what he suspected was "the lowest LSAT score ever by a Williams graduate."

Growing up in Chestnut Hill to wealthy parents, Kraft said he has always lived by advice he received from his parents, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his late wife, Myra, “Your worst day is most people’s best day. Be sure to have a positive impact on others.”

Following Kraft’s talk, Lasell students presented him with a Lasell athletics jersey adorned with his name and the No. 10; he delivered the Commencement address and received an honorary degree from Lasell in 2010.