After being delayed from last November due to the wildfires, TEDx Sonoma County finally took place on Saturday, January 11, where I delivered my first-ever TED Talk on “Curveballs and Blindspots: A Scenic Route through Uncertainty.”
Was I excited about the event? Yes. Was I anxious and nervous in the days before? Of course, particularly when I suffered a dislocated shoulder two weeks before the event that added a whole other layer of “discomfort” to my preparations.
Was I glad when it was over? ABSOLUTELY. And while it definitely was a wild roller coaster ride of emotions leading up the event, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And I say that even though I had to follow a guy riding a unicycle. Seriously. Talk about the proverbial “hard act to follow”!
My talk drew on the positive leadership work I’ve done with many of my clients, as well as my experience as a six-time Ironman finisher. It was truly a labor of love, and in the months leading up to it, I learned a lot about myself.
I learned how to strip away all ideas about ego, experience and achievement (really, they want me to do what??), and to accept (very gratefully) the help and support of others. It took a small army to help me deliver a successful TED talk. My amazing speaker coach Elizabeth Bachman saved me from myself multiple times!
The TEDx experience was definitely richer and more rewarding than just preparing for a regular speaking engagement. I learned something from each of my fellow speakers and admired the courage and heart they each brought to their talks. And the TEDx organizers and community who came out to hear us all were as inspiring as any of us on the stage.
Here are a few lessons learned that can apply to any of us facing a challenge:
- Be open to new experiences that push you to try new things, even if they make you uncomfortable and anxious. You will never know what you are capable of unless you put yourself in a position to try.
- As leaders in the uncertain world we live in, none of us have all the answers—but we don’t always have to be the expert or do everything ourselves. In fact, the end product of what we want to achieve is so much better when we bring in other’s ideas and perspectives. (For more on this topic, listen to my Leadership Curveballs, Blind Spots and Black Holes podcast Episode 1.)
- Regardless of our backgrounds and experience, we all have something important to offer—IF we clearly define the benefit and value to others.
By being open to new experiences and other’s perspectives, we not only create better outcomes for ourselves, but we also open our minds to what others have to offer. And that is a win-win for everyone.
PS: Image in this post was drawn in real-time by illustrator, Forest Stearns, while I was presenting at TEDx !