It was late December of 2012 and I had just finished my list of goals for 2013, or so I thought. The week prior to finalizing my list, a mentor had lent me the book How to Deliver A TED Talk. He had known how much I enjoy watching TED Talks and that I had a desire to deliver one of my own someday. During the drive to the Maryland Shore to celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends, I decided to take advantage of being a passenger and read the book. It didn’t take me long to decide that my list for 2013 was no longer complete. I needed to add “Deliver a TED-like Talk” to the list. Given how selective TED is, I knew better than to commit to a true TED Talk, so I went with a “TED-like Talk” (goals ought to be both meaningful AND achievable, right?). Earlier in the year, I had lobbied my leadership to allow me and a couple others to create a TEDx Forum for the Navy’s Cryptologic Community (of which I am a proud member), but due to budget constraints I was understandably unable to get my seniors to “Yes”. Undaunted, I knew I would be able to find an opportunity to get outside of my comfort zone and deliver a TED-like talk to a willing audience. Sure enough, in February one of my proteges (who like so many others double as mentor) identified an opportunity and brought it to my attention. The National Security Agency (NSA) was hosting a TED-like Forum by the name of “Kinetics”. Committed to walk the walk, there was no way I was going to let this opportunity pass me by. I pitched the Kinetics Team on my concept and they accepted immediately.
Because I am not one to tell myself “No”, I was pleased that the organizers agreed with me and eagerly said, “Yes”. In keeping with the spirit of the message I was planning to deliver, I partnered with a valued Sailor and fellow NIOC Pensacola Alum, Petty Officer Second Class Shawn Duncan, who developed the graphics, and my wife who helped with the “uniform of the day”. This video documents the talk I gave to the NSA and US Cyber Command Workforce on the topic of “Leading at the Intersection.” Since the talk, I have received a great deal of feedback. Some General and Flag Officers agreed with much of what I shared, as did my peers and juniors. And as expected, there were plenty of others who took issue with the message (and the wardrobe).
Sharing this video is as much about the message as it is about encouraging all of us to put ourselves out there. We have a responsibility to get outside of our comfort zones; to share our ideas; and to allow new members of our tribe to identify us.
- What message are you afraid to share?
- What action are you afraid to take?
- What talking are you not fully committed to walking?
Bravo Sean! The message you delivered is important and spot on. I can’t imagine who would take issue with your message or why they would. As for those who took issue with your wardrobe, they completely missed the point that it was a key component of the message, so I’m guessing they’re the same ones who didn’t like the message.
Very well done!
Great speech Sean, I’m always keen on one who goes against the flow and challenges our every action. Looking forward to the next one!
Awesome presentation Sean…the Navy needs to appoint you to reengineer Navy Leadership Programs…you are spot on with your approach…Bravo Zulu shipmate!
Nice job Sean! If you watch a lot of TED talks you may have seen people from or heard of a company called IDEO. My company has owned pieces of them in the past and our outgoing CEO is committed to their way of incorporating the idea of THINK into our culture. I just took a class on it a few weeks ago. They also are proponents of the 5 whys (asking why 5 times) which is similar to what you described here. Not enough time or space to elaborate, but you may find some resonance with their way of doing business. Their CEO was interviewed on 60 minutes as well. I can send you the link if you’d like. Cheers!