A Note from HPC: We’ve had the privilege of working with Cummings Research Park to provide leadership training for high-potential professionals who are shaping innovation in Huntsville, Alabama. The class sessions were hosted at HudsonAlpha, where Dr. Neil Lamb serves as president. During one session, Dr. Lamb joined us as a “leadership in action” guest speaker, sharing his story and insights on purpose-driven leadership. When Mary Ila began planning this special feature for our Nourish theme, she immediately thought of Dr. Lamb as the perfect guest contributor. He agreed that his recent commencement speech at Auburn University captured the message beautifully. And as a two-time Auburn graduate myself, I couldn’t agree more. You can watch the full speech at the end of this blog post.
When Dr. Neil Lamb stood before Auburn University’s Class of 2025, he began with honesty and humor. He admitted he could not remember a single word from his own graduation speaker 33 years ago. What he did remember was sitting a few rows away from the woman who would become his wife, a love story that began at Auburn and continues today.
That story set the tone for a message about what truly sustains us. Dr. Lamb, now president of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, has built a career on advancing science and education. Yet his advice to graduates was not about innovation or research. It was about how to live and lead in a way that nourishes ourselves and others.
He called on the audience to practice three habits that have the power to shape lives, teams, and communities: gratitude, common ground, and kindness.
Gratitude: Nourishing Connection
“Take a moment,” Dr. Lamb urged, “and think of three people who have supported you, believed in you, or pushed you to get to where you are today.”
Gratitude, he said, is not just for special occasions. It is a daily practice that keeps us connected to what matters most. At Horizon Point, we often talk about nourishing relationships. Gratitude is how that nourishment begins. It reminds us that none of us reach success alone.
Expressing appreciation builds stronger teams and healthier workplaces. It creates space for joy and perspective, even in times of challenge. When we take the time to say “thank you,” we invest in the human side of work.
Common Ground: Nourishing Understanding
In a world filled with division, Dr. Lamb encouraged graduates to seek common ground.
“You can hold deep convictions while still recognizing the dignity of others,” he said. “Finding common ground isn’t compromising your values. It’s choosing connection over contempt.”
That kind of leadership starts with curiosity. It is the willingness to listen longer, to stay in the conversation when it gets uncomfortable, and to look for shared purpose instead of differences.
When we nourish understanding within teams and organizations, collaboration thrives. Trust grows. Solutions emerge. As Dr. Lamb reminded the audience, finding common ground does not mean giving something up. It means building something stronger.
Kindness: Nourishing Culture
Dr. Lamb called kindness a “stealth superpower.” It diffuses tension, invites generosity, and changes lives in small and large ways.
Kindness does not mean ignoring conflict or injustice. It means seeing the humanity in others, especially those who challenge us. It means offering grace when judgment would be easier and patience when frustration feels justified.
In the workplace, kindness nourishes culture. It sets the tone for how people feel, how they show up, and how they grow. When kindness leads, people are more open, resilient, and ready to contribute their best.
Belonging and Self-Doubt
Dr. Lamb also spoke candidly about his own struggle with impostor syndrome. As a student, he felt like he had “slipped through the cracks” and did not truly belong at Auburn. It took years, mentors, and self-reflection to realize that he was right where he needed to be.
To anyone carrying similar doubts, his message was powerful:
“You are not here by luck or by mistake. You are here because you deserve to be.
You will belong in the rooms where ideas get born, where decisions get made, and where the future takes shape.”
At Horizon Point, we believe belonging is part of being nourished. When people feel seen, valued, and included, they can bring their full selves to their work and their communities.
A Nourishing Way Forward
Dr. Lamb closed with a challenge that aligns beautifully with our theme this year:
Carry gratitude.
Seek common ground.
Be kind.
These are not “soft” skills. They are essential skills that sustain leadership and nourish the people around us.
Whether you are crossing a stage, leading a team, or facing a personal transition, these three habits can ground and guide you. Gratitude connects. Common ground unites. Kindness uplifts. Together, they nourish growth that lasts.
“Auburn has prepared you well,” Dr. Lamb said. “You are more than ready. And we can’t wait to see what you do next.”
War Eagle to that.
