When I received the American Health Information Management
Association’s Distinguished Member Award last October, I shared with the
audience a seminal event that essentially changed my life. The event was so powerful and resonated with
so many in the audience that I want to share it in my blog, knowing that it can
possibly give you courage to shoot for the impossible. Below is a transcript of that speech:
I am here to tell you that I am testimony
that anything is possible…..Anything
is possible when you ask the help of others and believe in yourself! Over 40
years ago a seminal event occurred that helped me set the course believing that
anything is possible.
In 1964 in early Fall, just about
the same time of year as it is now, I was preparing for my Junior year in high
school. When my course schedule arrived
in the mail (no Internet then), I was surprised to see that I had not been
enrolled in Algebra II. At first I was
concerned, because a third year of high school math was an essential criterion for
being accepted to the college of my choice.
However, I quickly dismissed the worry, deciding that this was an oversight
or data entry error. I would be able to get
this corrected, I decided, in my home room on the first day of classes.
The first day of classes arrived
and I approached my home room teacher about the issue. She confirmed that there was no mistake; the head
of the math department had decided that I should not be enrolled in Algebra
II. I harangued my home room teacher sufficiently
enough that she finally caved and suggested I attend the Algebra II first class
session and take the matter up with the teacher, who was also math department
head.
As I sat through the first class of
Algebra II, my hopes were high that I could successfully iron out this problem. After class finished I approached the
teacher. I explained the situation and
asked if my exclusion in the course had been an oversight. She looked straight at me and said, “No,
Merida, this was no oversight. You are
too stupid to do Algebra II!” WOW! I
still distinctly remember what I thought at that moment: “She’s wrong! She is
dead wrong.”
Although my confidence was shaken and
while I didn’t get into the university of my choice because I didn’t have
necessary math prerequisite, I never lost sight my North Star. I kept a belief
in myself that I not only could, but that I would fulfill my purpose.
And today I thank that
teacher! I thank that teacher because
she gave me a reason to prove myself.
Over the years my belief in myself was
like a magnet for opening opportunities & attracting people who wanted to get
on my band wagon, help me along my way and be part of my journey….and that
extends to today. And
to all of those people I am deeply grateful, you are part of my being, and you
live with me every single day.
So my friends and colleagues, I
would like to leave you with three challenges.
The first challenge is to believe in yourself. Never, ever let anyone else define who you
are. You are creative, you are
resourceful, you have valuable strengths to offer………never lose sight of your
North Star because believing in yourself is the foundation of leadership.
The second Challenge is to never underestimate the willingness of
others to help you out. Life is a team
activity. When you ask someone to help
you, you give them a gift……you acknowledge their importance and help reconfirm
a belief in them. So I challenge you to
ask others to help you fulfill your potential because asking for help is a
hallmark of leadership.
And the final and third challenge is to never let a day go by without
asking the question “How can I help you?”
Never let an opportunity go by to showcase your expertise and leadership
by asking “How can I help YOU,” because this enriches your life and is a
hallmark authentic leadership.
So go forward. Be the leader you are meant to be in making healthcare a better place by advancing quality health information because....anything is possible when you believe in yourself and ask for and give help to others.
