A TEDx organiser’s perspective: “What I have learned”

TEDxPortofSpain co-organiser Keita Demming shares a few thoughts on his TEDx experience thus far. This is what he had to say…

In 2010 when we decided to apply to host TEDxPortofSpain, we had no idea the journey it would take us on. Along the way we have met many wonderful people and had some really great experiences. Most importantly, we have learned a lot. This blog highlights 5 things I have learnt after 3 years of organizing TEDx events.

 

#1  Be open to strangers

Many of us get very comfortable in our well established social circles. The problem with these social circles is that they create what I call echo chambers – places, containers or spaces where we only hear opinions that are similar to our own. Strangers, or people outside of our usual social circles, bring new networks, ideas, perspectives and skills to the team. Before starting TEDxPortofSpain I did not know many of the people on the current team and many of them have become valued critical friends who frequently push my own thinking and development.

 

#2  Run from Arrogance

When you are doing something good, many people will be eager to join your team and will express a desire to help. Deciding who to let onto your team is a delicate balance, because the wrong fit can very quickly spoil a great team. Persons who are not willing to question their assumptions, feel they are more important than others, or believe they are smarter than others should be taken off of the team immediately, but diplomatically.

 

#3  Content is King

This may be a cliche, but when it comes to organizing a TEDx event always, always, always, choose speakers for their content. Content makes for a good talk. It is also a good idea to look for unusual suspects. People who have interesting ideas, but do not always get a platform to share these ideas. We like to imagine a dinner conversation with potential speakers. Try to choose speakers who will bring a dinner conversation to life.

 

#4  Prioritize both tasks and relationships

Most great ideas fail in the implementation phase of the project. One way to avoid this pitfall is to focus on tasks and relationships at the same time. Never compromise one for the other. Often when planning an event, we tend to focus on either the task or the event and ignore the relationship. It is very important that you manage both the task, and the relationships within your team; and at the same time. Never prioritize either. Make both of them top priorities.

 

#5  Use your privilege for good

The boring phrase “to whom much is given much is expected” is somewhat misleading, because it focuses on the individual. The reality of life is that some of us are born with more of a safety net than others. From organizing TEDxPortofSpain I have learnt that your net can catch more than just you. Your net can catch many. When you find yourself in a place of privilege use that space to do good for others in the world. Too much emphasis is placed on the individual and not enough emphasis is placed on the community and how we can all contribute to the communities we live in.

 

There are many other things I have learnt from organizing TEDx events. These are just a few that have really stood out for me. I look forward to many more years of successful TEDxPortofSpain events and hope to share future lessons as we all grow and evolve.