Spring Message: 'Usher' In Your Future, Graduates!

"It's not the paper that gives power - it's YOU. You create the value behind your degree!" - Usher

Usually at this important time of year, I write a message for those emerging and early career leaders celebrating the graduation season and their transition into the full-time world of health leadership. When mulling over my message, Usher's recent commencement speech at Emory University caught my eye.

I first read about the process he used to craft his speech and core messages in the NYT. I was impressed. He took time and deeply self reflected on his life and the message he wished to convey. Self reflection is something we cherish in Vernissage Health!

So this year, I graciously defer to let Usher speak to your future, graduates!

As you wrap up Vernissage Health and write your leadership narrative or your letter to future self. Or, if you have already graduated and are re-reading what you wrote to yourself in Vernissage Health, please take a few minutes to listen to this powerful message. It will (re) inspire you!

What struck me about his message? First, he started with the basics or the fundamentals. He shared his life "mantra" or guiding principles with graduates. Here are his life principles:

• Praise - whoever you consider your highest power, for giving you the ability to dream.

• Appreciate - your highest and lowest moments. They build your character and reveal your core.

• Acknowledge - your shortcomings and your triumphs. Both will shape who you are becoming.

• Honour - the people who believe in you, who invested in your journey. Honour them not by perfection, but by perseverance.

Second, he spoke with humility and vulnerability. This speech was personal for Usher. When receiving his honorary doctorate, he shared a story he had never shared publicly - his own experience as a youth in school and with teachers. He struggled deeply through high school and never went to college. He knew failure and disappointment firsthand, starting as a kid.

He relayed "I was raised in a community where dreams were often just out of reach. When I arrived in Atlanta, I was academically so far behind that I was unable to keep up and the staff at the school I attended didn't have the resources to help me so they assigned me to remedial classes, which at the time felt like a judgement on my ability. As a young Black man, or a kid at the time, I was discouraged. My frustration stemmed from that staffs' inability to understand me or to fuel my passion."

His willingness to tell his story and to be vulnerable landed with the young audience in a powerful way. After telling this story, he shared some of the choices he made and key lessons from the journey he took to become a musician, entertainer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

Third, he role modelled one of the five practices of exemplary leaders - how to constructively "challenge the process" and existing systems, like education.

Most importantly, he personally gave back and became a philanthropist supporting this generation of "misunderstood youth" in his Foundation New Look. New Look has supported over 45,000 high school students in educationally under-resourced communities to finish high school and go onto finish college.

Lastly, during the speech, he opted for a subtle message about the educational system rather than a direct attack saying, "education should be a fundamental right". He hit just the right note and it had impact.

He also addressed an important and relevant question: "What does a college degree really mean in a world where credentials can feel overshadowed by clicks, followers and algorithms?" His answer: "It's not the paper that gives power, - it's YOU. You create the value behind your degree."

There are many, many more important messages during his address. Have a listen!

Then throw your hands in the air and celebrate this important milestone in your own journey! Congratulations, DLSPH, IHPME and Rotman graduates! YOU create the power and value behind the degree you've just earned! Now, be the health leader you aspire to be!