Strength in Vulnerability: The Inspiring Journey of Ray Jefferson
As a case study writer at Harvard Business School, I have met and written about hundreds of leaders and read about thousands more. Ideally, these leaders display character, courage, competency, compassion, communication, and commitment.
As a person interested in supporting mental health at work, I read and write about how coping with loss, change, and unexpected events can test but also strengthen resilience.
All too seldom have I gotten to know and experience someone embodying all these traits as Ray Jefferson did.
Ray manifested a rare combination of mental resilience, self-awareness, deep commitment to service, and a willingness to be open about the challenges life brought and their impact on his mental health. Initially, I felt his experiences could provide key learnings during the COVID pandemic, as many of us struggled to deal with the unexpected, the mental health impact of our fears, and the social isolation of that time.
But in addition to writing about him in an HBS case study (info below), I also got to know him as a person.
Ray passed away recently, but how he lived continues to inspire those who knew him and those who will learn about him.
From a devastating injury in the military to a wrongful termination from a government role, Ray overcame adversity with grace and determination.
These events did not leave him bitter or vindictive; rather, he drew strength from his vulnerability and enabled us to accept our own vulnerability and perhaps dare make it more visible to others.
To me, that is his ultimate achievement and a true example of resilience. So I share his story as a reminder of the power of mental strength, connection, and openness to growth.
Childhood: Not letting others define and confine you
Ray’s story begins in Albany, New York, in a multicultural family that valued education. But at some point in middle school, his performance suffered. It proved to be a turning point — and his first show of defiance. A teacher publicly called him “stupid,” but Ray rejected this label. Instead, he pushed himself to excel, earning straight As the following term. This moment marked the beginning of Ray’s lifelong commitment to self-awareness, growth, and mental strength. His mantras became:
- “Who do I want to be?”
- “How can I grow from my experiences?” and,
- “How do I not let others define me and my potential?”
Martial arts: Building mental and physical resilience
He also turned to discipline, which he found in martial arts when he was 14. The Kyokushin karate philosophy emphasizes mental discipline and breath control as much as physical prowess; it also elevates courage, diligence, and confidence. (See below for the 11 mottos).
In this, Ray found mental clarity and purpose. The philosophy taught him the importance of controlling the mind, mastering emotion, and striving to be one’s best self — and upon this foundation he built mental capabilities that sadly were stressed several times in his life.
Military career: Fighting mental and emotional battles
Ray’s pursuit of excellence led him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, a structured environment that aligned with his desire for “whole-person development.” Its rigor tested him mentally, emotionally, and physically. He endured hazing, long hours of training, and the pressure of maintaining high academic and physical standards. In fact, he emerged by his senior year as regimental boxing champion and regimental command sergeant major for 1,100 cadets:
“Suddenly, I saw what was possible when you unleash people’s potential through thoughtfulness, attention to detail, discipline, and perseverance. I also saw how it transformed a soldier’s impression of themselves.” (p. 3)
The military presented Ray with battles that went beyond the physical. His time as an Army Ranger and Special Forces officer tested his mental strength and resilience. Then in 1995, during a training exercise in Okinawa, Japan, a defective stun grenade detonated in his hand, causing him to lose several fingers and part of his palm.
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, Ray felt like his life was over. The physical pain was immense, but so, too, was the emotional toll. In the hospital, Ray had to confront his feelings of shame, fear, and despair. He recalls praying for the strength to continue: “Hey God, I really don’t want to do this anymore, but if you can help me, I’ll give it 100% for 30 days.” (p. 4)
At one of his lowest moments in the hospital, after yet another grueling surgery, he prayed for strength to keep going. Looking out the window, he saw a brilliant rainbow over the mountains and a white dove circling outside. To Ray, this was more than coincidence — it was a spiritual sign, a reminder that he wasn’t alone, and it renewed his determination to heal both physically and mentally. He later shared that this moment of divine connection fueled his resilience and deepened his sense of purpose.
This moment of vulnerability — of asking for help — became a turning point. Ray realized that maintaining mental health requires acknowledging when you need support, a lesson he would carry throughout his life. With the help of doctors, family, and his spirit, Ray began to rebuild himself — mentally and physically.
“The hospital was the best place for me at first, but then it became the worst place, and made it easy to be lazy,” Ray recalled. “People wanted to help you be comfortable, not to change the world. I realized if I wanted to prepare myself to do great things in the world, I had to change the thoughts and script of what was going through my mind.” (p. 5)
Post-accident resilience: Embracing mental health and openness
Ray’s recovery was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite doctors telling him he would never do pushups again, Ray trained relentlessly, eventually surpassing even his previous fitness levels. He completed the Honolulu Marathon and won a Light-Heavyweight Championship belt in Chinese full-contact fighting.
But his greatest victory was his mental recovery. Ray’s openness to emotional and spiritual healing played a crucial role in his comeback. He journaled to process his feelings, sought social connections, and used meditation to center himself. He learned that real strength comes from vulnerability—from being open to others and acknowledging when the weight of life becomes too much to bear alone. Part of his healing came from joining networks like the Young President Organization (YPO) and other peer groups.
Public service: Leading with emotional awareness
After earning a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Master’s in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Ray’s commitment to service led him to leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed him Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training (VETS), a role in which he worked tirelessly to create opportunities for veterans.
Ray’s leadership style was rooted in empathy and emotional awareness. He fostered a culture of openness within his teams, encouraging his colleagues to bring their full selves to work. His focus on mental health extended to the veterans he served, recognizing that transitioning from military to civilian life required not just job training but emotional support as well.
The wrongful termination: A test of mental fortitude
In 2011, Ray’s resilience was tested once again when false allegations led to his resignation from VETS. The accusations were devastating, both to his career and to his sense of self. Ray later described the experience as more painful than losing his hand in the grenade explosion.
The accusations and how they were handled also went to the heart of his own beliefs, which West Point had reinforced. As the West Point honor code famously emphasizes, “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” This credo shaped Ray’s moral compass, fostering a sense of duty and honesty that he carried into his military and civilian careers. West Point also prohibits cadets from cheering for themselves, reinforcing the importance of humility, teamwork, and service to others.
For nearly eight years, he fought to clear his name, depleting his life savings and enduring immense emotional hardship. In 2019, the U.S. Government conceded that the claims were unsubstantiated, clearing his name. (For more details, please see this 2011 piece and this 2020 piece in The Washington Post). On this journey, he was accompanied by his devoted lawyer, who stayed at his side when others did not.
Throughout this ordeal, Ray remained committed to maintaining his mental health. He sustained his intense workouts, yoga, and transcendental meditation. He continued to journal:
“I’d write to get all the poisonous emotions out of my head and heart into the journal. It usually helped. I tried to journal when it was the worst. Not wait until I was getting a little bit better, but get it as raw and just intense as I could. And it was cathartic.” (p. 11)
Finally, the network of friends and mentors he cultivated supported him during his darkest moments. “My whole life was falling apart,” Ray recalled. “The peer group reached out with advice, encouragement, and support and made me know — and feel — that I was not alone.” (p. 11)
Ray’s refusal to succumb to bitterness or anger exemplified his belief in the power of resilience. He understood that true strength lay not in avoiding hardship but in how one responds to it. In the case study, Ray shared:
I heard many stories of people who go through something like this. They may survive it financially or win the lawsuit, but they become a bitter shadow of themselves, jaded and demoralized. I did not want to do that. So, I tried to be very intentional in managing my energy and my spirit. Even if I won the lawsuit, if I lost my zest for life, desire to serve, passion, and sense of direction and purpose, then they would win. The government doesn’t like to lose. I just wanted an apology. (p. 1)
He persevered also in his desire to serve. In March 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Ray for a position as undersecretary for veterans affairs for benefits, but the nomination faced objections, stalled in committee, and was withdrawn in July 11, 2022. Ray was then appointed a member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships — and he had himself been a fellow in 2000/2001.
A legacy of strength, service, and connection
Ray’s legacy is not only one of public service but also of the quiet, inner work that makes resilience possible. Ray’s life reminds us that no matter how great the external battles we face, our internal strength and openness to growth ultimately define us and sustain our mental health. He also understood that strength comes from connections to oneself, one’s values, and the community.
Whether leading a military unit, serving veterans, or fighting to clear his name, Ray brought emotional intelligence and mental clarity to every challenge he faced, which feels so essential in an increasingly emotionally immature and stressed world. “Ray was the kind of leader that drew the best out of everyone,” commented a friend and fellow veteran. “He met no strangers and was a leader of the highest caliber.”
And despite the discipline and persistence he applied to all his endeavors, Ray also always stopped to ask his interlocutors, “So, how are you doing? How are things with you?”
Well, Ray, to be honest, I am less well now that you are gone but better than I was before knowing you.
11 Mottos of Masutatsu Oyama’s Philosophy
1. The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.
2. Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff — continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand.
3. Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or thoughtlessness.
4. Even for the Martial Artist, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet one should be careful never to become attached to it.
5. The Martial Way is centered in posture. Strive to maintain correct posture at all times.
6. The Martial Way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after ten thousand days of training.
7. In the Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve.
8. The nature and purpose of the Martial Way is universal. All selfish desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.
9. The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle. Straight lines stem from this principle.
10. The true essence of the Martial Way can only be realized through experience. Knowing this, learn never to fear its demands.
11. Always remember, in the Martial Arts, the rewards of a confident and grateful heart are truly abundant.
Source: Shane Thomas, “Kyokushin Budo Kai The Ultimate Beginners Guide,” http://www.kyokushin-wagrowiec.com.pl/data/files/kyokushinbudokai-theultimatebeginnersguide.pdf, accessed September 2021.
The podcast here is about the case study (Mayo, Anthony, and Carin-Isabel Knoop. “Raymond Jefferson: Trial by Fire.” Harvard Business School Case 423–094, July 2023. (Revised April 2024.). Another post about post-traumatic transformation and Wladimir Klitschko, also a case protagonist, is related to these themes.
Thank you to my friend and colleague David Lane for helping with the case project and this post. And I am very grateful to Francois for creating these illustrations, especially this one, which honors the flowers of Singapore and Hawaii, places important to Ray.
