What My TEDx Journey Taught Me About Leadership
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When I first said yes to giving a TEDx talk, I thought I was simply going to share what I’ve learned about leadership, how it has evolved for me over the years, and how science and Filipino wisdom can help us lead with more humanity.
What I didn’t expect was that preparing for this talk would become another leadership journey in itself.
Learning to Lead (and Speak) Differently
I’ve been speaking publicly for years, yet I still found it both helpful and humbling to work with a coach who supported me throughout this process. TED talks demand a different kind of discipline. It requires more precision in language, more intentionality in tone, and less room for error.
I had to learn to approach this differently. Every word mattered. Every pause carried weight. And every story had to serve a purpose beyond my own. It wasn’t just about sharing what I knew. It was about crafting something that would resonate and stay with the audience long after the lights dimmed.
In many ways, it reflected what leadership asks of us: to be precise yet compassionate, confident yet humble, and clear on the message we want to leave behind.
The Discipline of Focus
At the beginning, I had so many ideas I wanted to share: lessons from neuroscience, insights from Filipino values like kapwa and pamumuno, stories from my years as a leader and coach. But I soon realized I couldn’t say everything.
The hardest part was editing and choosing what to leave out so that what remained could truly land. I had to keep asking myself: What will be most meaningful and relevant to my listeners?
That process reminded me of leadership itself. Focus is not about doing less. It’s about doing what matters most. The courage to choose, the wisdom to simplify, and the sensitivity to make it about others, not ourselves.
Digging Deeper into Shared Journeys
Part of the journey required me to take a step back and dig deep into the lessons and insights I’ve gained from almost 3,000 conversations with leaders I’ve worked with.
While my talk included very personal stories, I was equally mindful of their journeys and the countless moments of courage, doubt, and transformation I’ve witnessed in others. Each story I’ve heard over the years became a puzzle piece that helped shape and form my view of leadership today.
That reflection deepened my gratitude. Because the story I told on stage wasn’t just mine. It was also theirs.
The Power of Community and Reflection
Throughout the process, I was reminded that leadership is not a solo act. Behind every leader is a community – people who guide, challenge, and cheer us on when we falter. My coach, my team, my family, my friends – their presence grounded me.
Preparing for the talk also became a moment of profound reflection. Revisiting old chapters of my life, from the triumphs to the trials, helped me reconnect with my purpose. It reminded me why I do the work I do: to help leaders lead with both head and heart.
Leading with Presence
When I finally stepped onto that red circle, I realized I wasn’t just delivering a talk. I was living the message I had spent months refining.
Because leadership, much like a TED talk, is not about perfection. It’s about presence.
It’s not about knowing it all. It’s about staying open to learning, to growth, to connection.
That’s what my TEDx journey taught me. That leading well isn’t just about strength or success. It’s about showing up with science, soul, and shared humanity.
