When I think of Usher Raymond, an academic isn’t exactly what comes to mind. That’s not to say he’s not smart. I actually met him once…well, met is probably too strong a word for what it was. I had a brief encounter with him at a press conference for his New Look foundation back in 2005 – wow, that was a whole 20 years ago. Anyway, based off how he answered questions there, he seemed pretty smart—maybe not scholarly smart, but like logical reasoning smart. Perhaps one could call it emotional intelligence, business savvy. I don’t know, but I was impressed with the way he handled himself when answering questions from the media. I’ve never seen him get flustered or trip over himself when he answers their questions.
But this graduation address thing is a-whole-nother ballgame. Any guesses on how he did? Here, take a gander and see for yourself…
Interesting Observation: While Usher is loved all over the world, has amassed a gaggle of awards and performed in front of much larger crowds – including the Super Bowl – without so much as showing an ounce of nerves, there among that comparatively intimate crowd, Usher, for once, appeared nervous. It came out in the way he tripped up over some of his words, told jokes that fell flat and paused for applause that didn’t come until he encouraged it. Perhaps it even came out in the way he took the podium and for the first few minutes made the address about himself getting an honorary doctorate, even using the opportunity to thank a bunch of people like he was giving an acceptance speech at the Grammys. It’s interesting how someone with so much career success could maybe still feel inadequate, even if just a tinge, when in front of people graduating from a prestigious university and therefore thought to be book smart.
Inspirational Takeaway
During his speech, Usher outlined five principles he lives by and here they are:
Praise – giving praise to a higher power for giving you the ability to dream.
Appreciation – have appreciation for your highest and lowest moments
Acknowledge – acknowledge your triumphs as well as your shortcomings
Honor – honor who believed in you and helped you get to where you are.
He also ran off a list of things that separates winners and losers. Here are a couple that stood out to me:
Losers let it happen. Winners make it happen.
Losers take chances. Winners make choices.
My Overall Thoughts
Overall, I thought he spent too much time in the beginning talking about himself, perhaps that was a byproduct of his nerves. The inspirational part was too short. He gave great advice without anecdotal examples, which I believe would have better driven the point home. He basically talked about the “what” without explaining the “how.” For example it would have been great if he told a story, personal or otherwise of how losers let it happen, but winners make it happen. Instead the audience was left to interpret for themselves. While he claims diplomas still matter in today’s world where there’s a heavy focus on one’s social media presence, the examples of success he gave were of people without degrees, himself and his friend Scotter Braun. Ultimately, the thing about amassing a career like his is that, or maybe simply because he’s famous, he could have given the worst speech ever known to man and it still would have cool to have an R&B superstar deliver your commencement address.
The Clue Breakdown
Did you decipher yesterday’s clue? I’ve got the breakdown for you. But first, let’s revisit the clue:
This internationally known superstar just might get you caught up with bad hair in Chicago.
The first part of the clue that says “This internationally known superstar” gives you straightforward information regarding who to consider. However it’s also very board because it could be a host of people, but it applies to Usher as he’s known in countries outside of the United States, and is currently on an international tour.
The next part that says “just might get you caught up” references one of my favorite Usher songs titled “Caught Up” that’s featured on his 2004 Confessions album.
Moving on to the “with bad hair” part. I did a little research and found out that Usher appeared in a Hulu film called “Bad Hair” in 2020.
Finally, the last part “in Chicago” references Usher’s stint as Billy Flynn in the Broadway musical “Chicago” in 2006. I was hoping to through you off a bit and have some folks think of someone from Chicago.
Clue for Tomorrow’s Commencement Speaker
Our next speaker would probably fly more under the radar if it wasn’t for their huge cult following that would make anyone feel like a boss. Don’t get bent out of shape if you can’t guess who it is. Just say thank you, next.
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