My Tedx Talk - Habits To Awaken Your Potential & Lead With Your Inner Light
Kim Zoller
The Leadership Catalyst ★ Empowering Leaders & Teams ★ Creating Lasting Legacies ★ TEDx Talk Speaker ★ Leadership Strategist ★ Communication ★ Transformation ★ Author ★ Speaker ★ Trusted Organizational Partner
If you’ve read my blogs or posts in the past, you know how important my morning routine is! I meditate, I prime my mind through breathing, gratitude, and visualization. On my vision/action board I have had a picture of me on a Ted stage for …oh, I don’t know how many years…probably 10!
It is June 2021 and during my 6 month year-at-a-glance review, my coach Charlie says, “Is this Ted Talk a must for you Kim? You’ve had it on your goals for a few years, so it really a must?” A fire lights under me, and I commit to submitting a talk to Tedx by July 2022 and being on stage by the end of 2022.
I find a guide who has done a Tedx and we begin working together. “Kim, you have to tell your personal story or you won’t connect.” That is daunting. My personal story - very few people actually know “my story", and that is way too scary! I start writing something more work related that contains a tiny bit about my personal journey. I read it to my kids and they point blank say, “Mom, you sound like you're facilitating - start again!”
Fast forward to September 2021… I am leading a group of young women on a year-long leadership journey, and one of the speakers was there to teach the group “how to tell their story.” Within one minute, I am hooked! I know that he is the next guide on this journey and will take me to the top of the mountain. His title - “Story Doula” says it all.
Eduardo Placer and I work together for the next 10 months, and he pulls my story from me piece by piece. Sometimes I think he just wants to chat - what I now realize is that this is what makes him a master at what he does!
There’s version 1, 2,3…6…20+++. It is raw, it is real and it is super scary AND it feels so freeing! After a terrible car wreck in February 2022 I go to Israel to see my kids (where they live), and I read them my story. We are all in tears and I realize that what I’m doing is healing some generational trauma. I want so badly for my kids to understand and know the ‘why’ behind some of my decisions.
I make a video of my TedTalk and off it went to different Tedx venues. I hear back from one and they want me to change some things. Eduardo reminds me why I did this and says, “Just wait, the right one will love what you have to offer. Don’t change your story to fit in with their theme.” I take a breath and wait.
I’m at a board dinner and my mom introduces me to this amazing woman, Danielle. We immediately connect and I invite her for dinner that weekend. She shares some of her life experiences with me and I tell her, “Well, I just put a video together which I sent around to different Tedx venues and it will tell you more about me.” She graciously tells me to send it to her.
I receive a text telling me that she loved my talk, appreciated my vulnerability AND she’s the co-chair for the Tedx here in October! I am dying!! She says they already locked in their speakers but she would check with her co-chair, Ashley. Within a few days I get a text, “You’re in!”
Grateful that life is always happening FOR me. I’m grateful I’m able to see that all of the moments that make my story were really not happening TO me, they really were happening FOR me!
After many iterations, time with Eduardo, practicing for hours, sharing with those I trust to get their feedback, and evenings presenting to friends which we called, “food and feedback” - the day is here.
Today, October 13, 2022, I stood on a Tedx stage and told my story and shared my practice and what saved my mind, body and soul: Habits To Awaken Your Potential and Lead With Your Inner Light. I was surrounded by family, old and new friends, colleagues, and strangers. It was an incredible experience. One I will treasure for the rest of my life.
This experience has been cathartic, to say the least. I am so grateful to everyone who has been on this journey with me and continues to be on this journey. I am beyond grateful to my 3 beautiful children for championing me to tell my story.
I went after my dream and it fulfilled a purpose I didn’t even know I had. I have learned that in sharing with others, you not only help heal yourself, but hopefully help countless others.
What story do you need to tell?
CHRO | Multifunctional Leader in HR, Organizational Development, Strategic Communications | Expert in Culture Integration, M&A, and Organizational Growth | SPHR-Certified
2 年Congratulations, Kim Zoller! What a great example of goal achievement.
You are an inspiration to all - especially women!
MBA - Finance and Strategy - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2 年Incredible and inspiring, as you always are!! What a beautiful story and a powerful message.
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient | Bilingual Keynote Speaker | 5x TEDx Speaker | Teaching impact-centered leaders to craft, tell, and use their stories and become transformational storytellers.
2 年In telling your story, you’re telling so many women’s stories. In healing your family, you’re healing so many other families. Thank you for your light. I cried and thanked God that I was there to meet you and hear your message. ??
Chief People & Culture Officer | Chief Administrative Officer | Human Resources Consultant | Board Member
2 年Brava, Kim!! You have such wisdom to share. I’ve personally only watched you work/speak one time - but I’m still leveraging a few insights. Excited to see you expand your positive impact.