A few months ago, I had the incredible opportunity to fulfill a dream and participate in TEDx as a speaker. In the following lines, I will share with you the feeling, as well as some interesting moments, in case one day your path leads you to the stage of one of the most exciting conferences known for their ability to motivate and inspire people.

The Idea

Every speaker should have a clear idea or message they want to share. This is the central element of the presentation and should be well thought out and articulated. The topic I chose to speak about was related to Career Development, which excites me not only in my role as a human resources specialist but also as a person. Career progress is not always a smooth path. Sometimes, to take two steps forward, you may need to take one step back. I believe that achieving a goal requires planning, organization, and persistent effort. But fate sometimes surprises us and proves that it has prepared something better for us. It reminds us that some of the most picturesque paths are the ones we haven’t planned.

Preparation and Practice

Preparation and practice are essential for every presentation. For me, creating a concise speech narrative that fits into 18 minutes (as required) and presenting my idea in the right way took about 7 days, which was the most challenging part. Then, several more days were spent on rehearsals. I am not a professional speaker, but I have had the opportunity to attend training in this area. Also, the books “Talk Like TED” by Carmine Gallo and “Leader in Presentations” by Hristiyan Stoilkov were quite helpful.

Clear Goal

The presentation should be tailored to the audience, without complex and unclear terms. TED events usually have a specific theme around which the presentations revolve on the day of the conference itself. In my case, the event was TEDx Women, so the speech was mainly targeted towards women.

Sharing Personal Experiences

Personal experiences and stories can make any presentation more exciting. That’s why, stepping onto the TED stage, the speaker must be ready to share personal stories related to the topic. In my case, the theme of the whole event was “Two Steps Forward,” so I shared my story, connected with the main theme of the event.

By the way, one feature of the format is that the speaker agrees to be recorded, and the recording is shared and distributed by TED. This is not a problem at all. Just for the more impatient ones like me, you should know that processing the recording takes time. When mine is ready, I will share it with you. 🙂

Visualization

Visual elements such as slides or videos can complement and strengthen the presentation. They are not mandatory, but they definitely enhance the impact of the words. They should be used to emphasize key points, not to shift the main focus, which is the story itself.

On the Day

I met some wonderful, awake, and thoughtful people, and I was lucky enough to have some of my closest friends come to watch from the front row what I was talking about. 🙂 The emotion of speaking on a topic that is close to your heart and in which you believe is incredible. After I presented, during the break, a girl around 17-18 years old came to me and said, “Thank you very much. If I ever have a difficult moment at work, I’ll think of you.”

Just because of the opportunity to touch someone’s heart and inspire them, it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone, sharing your stories, and experiences. Conferences like TEDx remind us how sometimes our small actions can touch someone and how powerful shared ideas can be.