The Unofficial Mayor of Mason: Persona, Purpose, and Perseverance | Philip Wilkerson | TEDxJHU Salon

Overcoming Adversity & Mental Health - The speaker recounts a period of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks in spring 2018, contemplating quitting a new job at George Mason University [1] - The speaker's wife encouraged him to persevere through each day, leading to gradual improvement with support from supervisors, family, friends, and students [2] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of rejection and failure, viewing them as challenges rather than insurmountable obstacles [10][11] Self-Discovery & Purpose - The speaker discovered his strength lies in connecting with people, embracing it as a "superpower" [4][5] - The speaker created the persona of the "unofficial mayor of Mason" to advocate for students and instill confidence in them [2][5] - Working at George Mason transformed from a job into a purpose and mission, providing a sense of leadership and empowerment [5] Personal Growth & Leadership - The speaker highlights the importance of defining one's own identity and not letting the world dictate who they should be [12] - The speaker emphasizes the need for a persona to build confidence, a purpose at work, and resilience to overcome challenges [9] - The speaker encourages the audience to identify their desired future selves, the help they need, and who they will help along the way [13][14]