WATERVILLE -- A winning attitude, staying true to one's values and being willing to take risks can promote success, Robert E. Diamond Jr. told Colby College graduates Sunday during the college's 187th commencement ceremonies.

"Find that place, find that spot, find that organization that has values that match your values," Diamond, a world leader in international finance, told the 521 graduating seniors who sat beneath sunny, blue skies in front of Miller Library.

Diamond, a 1973 Colby graduate who is today president of London-based Barclays PLC -- a major global financial services provider operating all around the world -- credited his father with his successes in life, beginning with his stint as an 8-year-old baseball catcher.

"No 8-year-old, not then, not now, not ever" wants to be a catcher, Diamond said, but he made the team. He said his father probably knew at the time that his edge was not going to be natural talent, but attitude and hard work.

That would be his first lesson, he said, convincing himself that his was "absolutely the most glorious position on the team" and becoming good at it.

Football would be the same, Diamond said. He knew he would never become a quarterback, so he went out for the less popular position of pulling guard. That choice would eventually get him elected to the Massachusetts all-state football team, he said.

His dad taught him, he said, that "if you couldn't have your dream, you made the most of what you had. He taught me that you never quit just because something (is) difficult and he taught me that if anything is worth doing, it's worth doing well."

Those early lessons, Diamond said, stayed with him throughout his life.

Everyone has the potential to be "top tier" in something, Diamond said, urging the graduates to find that role for themselves and "make a big difference" in the world.

Despite his dream to become a bond trader, Diamond said he was patient, and sometimes took the lowest-paying job on the lowest rung of the work ladder, "where I knew I could get more experience more quickly."

He said he often gave up status and seniority in search of his dream, choosing the ultimate goal instead of immediate reward.

"The easy option is not always the best option," said Diamond.

Teamwork is equally as important as individual skills, he said. "If they can't work well as a partner and a colleague, they have to go."

Diamond said Colby graduates have a competitive shot at success because two-thirds of them have studied abroad and because the liberal arts college provides an international perspective, with students from every state in America and from 62 countries around the world.

Diamond said Barclays summer internship program in investment banking includes five Colby juniors and more than 20 Colby graduates are in offices around the world in the firm's investment bank.

"Don't ever forget you're from Colby College," he said.

Colby President William D. Adams spoke of Diamond's generosity to Colby. In 1993, he joined the board of trustees. This fall, his son, Charlie, will be a freshman at the college, Adams said.

Adams also spoke of the Class of 2008 as the class that really made a difference by holding held the first-ever 'green' graduation.

Patrick C. Sanders, senior class speaker, also spoke of his class's dedication to creating changes at Colby.

"This commencement weekend has been the greenest ever because of our class's concerted efforts to reduce our carbon footprints and leave Colby just as, if not more, beautiful than when we came here."

Sanders said his classmates also had been "tireless" in their efforts to improve the relationship between the college and the City of Waterville by donating hours of volunteer work in the community.

Diamond and four others received honorary degrees: Gabriella De Ferrari, art historian; Amory Lovins, energy expert; David Simon, television writer-producer; Sunita Lyn Williams, astronaut.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com