From Tee-Ball to TEDx

I’m officially in training.

On March 28th, I’ll step onto the red dot for my first (can you even do more than one?!) TEDx Talk at TEDx Sugar Creek Women, where the theme is Perspective. And yes, I’m equal parts honored, energized, and quietly asking myself why I actually applied to do something that requires THIS. MANY. REWRITES.

The idea I pitched, and the one currently stretching me the most, is a concept I call Athletic Communication. Being an athlete and being a communicator are both things many of us work on our whole lives. Case in point, my 7 year-old "Sports Trader" tee-ball card (I wish someone had communicated to me the perils of an elementary school mullet):

I’ve been thinking a lot about how often we approach conversations like a competition we’re trying to win, instead of a team we’re trying to join.

But what if communication worked more like a team sport?

What if the goal wasn’t to beat someone, but actually was to join them?

As I prepare for this talk, I keep circling back to the idea that we're all athletes in the never-ending game of communication. And, most importantly, the only way to “win” is to do it together.

That means showing up knowing you have a role to play, but so does everyone else. It means recognizing that connection isn’t built by dominating the field, but by reading it. Adjusting. Paying attention.

One of the most counterintuitive ideas I’m working through is this:

Communication isn’t a spectator sport, but it does require more watching than doing.

More observation than activity.

More listening than loading the next response.

More curiosity than certainty.

That’s been humbling to sit with. Especially for someone who's built a career around speaking. (Irony noted)

As I develop this TEDx Talk, I’m also building something bigger alongside it: a framework that teams and organizations can use to change how they communicate when the stakes are high, the room is tense, or the conversation really matters. Because on a team and in a company, everyone plays a part to get the win. The question is: what’s yours?

Over the coming months, I’ll be turning this talk into curriculum for companies, leadership teams, and teams within teams. Places where people are smart, capable, well-intentioned… and somehow, sometimes still missing each other.

You don't have to wait for the Ted Talk tho! 

Here's a tool you can use now. A "warm-up," if you will, to get you going.

GET YOUR FREE COPY

Curious what Athletic Communication could look like as a keynote for your event or a workshop for your people? Let's chat.

👉 Book a call with me here to explore what your team needs to win together.

More soon. And thank you for being part of the practice!

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