NE North Dakota News

Dr. Joshua Deere, president of Altru Health System, shared insights from his personal journey during a recent talk at the University of North Dakota's Memorial Union as part of the 18:83 Speaker Series. The theme of his speech was "Embrace who you are," focusing on the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in leadership.

Deere recounted his upbringing on a family farm near Kennedy, Minnesota, and how experiences from his childhood shaped him into the leader he is today. Reflecting on his early life challenges, including growing up with divorced parents and facing economic hardships, he emphasized embracing one's background and experiences as crucial for effective leadership.

“One of the most important things to remember about leadership is, you need to embrace who you are,” Deere told attendees. He shared how periods of turmoil during his youth influenced his reactions as a leader today.

A pivotal moment in Deere's life occurred when he was 14 years old. After getting braces removed, he witnessed his grandmother Mary Louise Deere suffer a fatal incident while driving them home. This event inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. “From that moment forward, I made the decision to be a physician,” he said.

Deere encouraged the audience to reflect on their own challenges and perspectives, noting that unique solutions stem from individual experiences. “Understand that your perspective is really unique,” he stated, emphasizing the value of diverse problem-solving approaches within teams.

In addition to embracing one's identity, Deere highlighted two other key principles: staying engaged and evolving. He intertwined these themes with anecdotes involving figures such as Ed Hakstol and TV character Ted Lasso.

For those interested in exploring more stories from the 18:83 Speaker Series or subscribing to UND Today’s newsletter for updates, further information is available online.