good evening everyone and as you’re tweeting this I know the hashtag is
tweeting this I know the hashtag is
tweeting this I know the hashtag is supposed to be TEDx Topeka if you can
supposed to be TEDx Topeka if you can
supposed to be TEDx Topeka if you can just throw in a hashtag go Cubs go that
just throw in a hashtag go Cubs go that
just throw in a hashtag go Cubs go that would be awesome i would really
would be awesome i would really
would be awesome i would really appreciate that that helps with the jew
appreciate that that helps with the jew
appreciate that that helps with the jew geo a little bit as i said my name is
geo a little bit as i said my name is
geo a little bit as i said my name is brittany simmerman so that makes two
brittany simmerman so that makes two
brittany simmerman so that makes two things at Britney Spears and I have in
things at Britney Spears and I have in
things at Britney Spears and I have in common we have the same first name and
common we have the same first name and
common we have the same first name and we get to wear these earpiece
we get to wear these earpiece
we get to wear these earpiece microphones that are really
microphones that are really
microphones that are really uncomfortable I am the assistant
uncomfortable I am the assistant
uncomfortable I am the assistant athletic director at Washburn University
athletic director at Washburn University
athletic director at Washburn University and like they said I do come from a
and like they said I do come from a
and like they said I do come from a background of athleticism and a
background of athleticism and a
background of athleticism and a background of leadership and so when I
background of leadership and so when I
background of leadership and so when I left law school I am actually a
left law school I am actually a
left law school I am actually a recovering attorney no offense to Sean
recovering attorney no offense to Sean
recovering attorney no offense to Sean but being a real attorney was really
but being a real attorney was really
but being a real attorney was really hard for me so I took this job as an
hard for me so I took this job as an
hard for me so I took this job as an assistant athletic director and I do
assistant athletic director and I do
assistant athletic director and I do compliance and basically what that means
compliance and basically what that means
compliance and basically what that means is I get to go to work every day and
is I get to go to work every day and
is I get to go to work every day and work with student athletes I work with
work with student athletes I work with
work with student athletes I work with them on eligibility and academics and
them on eligibility and academics and
them on eligibility and academics and everything that goes with their student
everything that goes with their student
everything that goes with their student athlete experience and I absolutely love
athlete experience and I absolutely love
athlete experience and I absolutely love my job the weird thing about my job is
my job the weird thing about my job is
my job the weird thing about my job is this when I walk into the athletic
this when I walk into the athletic
this when I walk into the athletic department there’s one thing I noticed
department there’s one thing I noticed
department there’s one thing I noticed from day one there’s not many women
from day one there’s not many women
from day one there’s not many women there and there’s definitely not many
there and there’s definitely not many
there and there’s definitely not many women holding the same position that I
women holding the same position that I
women holding the same position that I hope so forty years ago title nine comes
hope so forty years ago title nine comes
hope so forty years ago title nine comes into effect right all of us in some way
into effect right all of us in some way
into effect right all of us in some way shape or form have been touched by title
shape or form have been touched by title
shape or form have been touched by title nine so the NCAA did a study a couple of
nine so the NCAA did a study a couple of
nine so the NCAA did a study a couple of years ago and just looked at what’s it
years ago and just looked at what’s it
years ago and just looked at what’s it like to be a woman in collegiate
like to be a woman in collegiate
like to be a woman in collegiate athletics here’s the deal two-thirds of
athletics here’s the deal two-thirds of
athletics here’s the deal two-thirds of the people who hold that assistant
the people who hold that assistant
the people who hold that assistant athletic director title that I hold our
athletic director title that I hold our
athletic director title that I hold our mail eighty percent of the folks who
mail eighty percent of the folks who
mail eighty percent of the folks who hold head coach head athletic director
hold head coach head athletic director
hold head coach head athletic director or conference commissioner titles mail
or conference commissioner titles mail
or conference commissioner titles mail that’s the world that I live in okay and
that’s the world that I live in okay and
that’s the world that I live in okay and it’s not just athletics that we’re
it’s not just athletics that we’re
it’s not just athletics that we’re talking about you know it was it was a
talking about you know it was it was a
talking about you know it was it was a great thing to hear about that NPR study
great thing to hear about that NPR study
great thing to hear about that NPR study but this is a new research a gallup did
but this is a new research a gallup did
but this is a new research a gallup did a poll three years ago and they just
a poll three years ago and they just
a poll three years ago and they just called people up
called people up
called people up and ask them if given the choice would
and ask them if given the choice would
and ask them if given the choice would you rather have a male boss or a female
you rather have a male boss or a female
you rather have a male boss or a female boss and forty percent of people said
boss and forty percent of people said
boss and forty percent of people said I’d rather have a male boss please so
I’d rather have a male boss please so
I’d rather have a male boss please so then they ask the follow-up question to
then they ask the follow-up question to
then they ask the follow-up question to all the females that they were surveying
all the females that they were surveying
all the females that they were surveying and they said ok females do you have a
and they said ok females do you have a
and they said ok females do you have a female boss yes if you have a female
female boss yes if you have a female
female boss yes if you have a female boss would you rather have a male boss
boss would you rather have a male boss
boss would you rather have a male boss and a third of those people those
and a third of those people those
and a third of those people those females who had female bosses said yes I
females who had female bosses said yes I
females who had female bosses said yes I would much rather have that male as a
would much rather have that male as a
would much rather have that male as a boss why why are we so afraid of having
boss why why are we so afraid of having
boss why why are we so afraid of having females who are in leadership roles I
females who are in leadership roles I
females who are in leadership roles I think a lot of it has to do with what i
think a lot of it has to do with what i
think a lot of it has to do with what i like to call the coin flip boss so when
like to call the coin flip boss so when
like to call the coin flip boss so when people look at women in leadership roles
people look at women in leadership roles
people look at women in leadership roles they’re really worried about what kind
they’re really worried about what kind
they’re really worried about what kind of female am I going to get am I going
of female am I going to get am I going
of female am I going to get am I going to get the weak meek underestimated nice
to get the weak meek underestimated nice
to get the weak meek underestimated nice but soft female boss or am I going to go
but soft female boss or am I going to go
but soft female boss or am I going to go over here on the other side of the coin
over here on the other side of the coin
over here on the other side of the coin and get that type of boss who’s in your
and get that type of boss who’s in your
and get that type of boss who’s in your face and aggressive and cold and
face and aggressive and cold and
face and aggressive and cold and heartless whose only concern is the
heartless whose only concern is the
heartless whose only concern is the deadline and doesn’t care whether I show
deadline and doesn’t care whether I show
deadline and doesn’t care whether I show up to work or not dead or alive as long
up to work or not dead or alive as long
up to work or not dead or alive as long as the project gets done we know here as
as the project gets done we know here as
as the project gets done we know here as people who are attending tonight we know
people who are attending tonight we know
people who are attending tonight we know that those are stereotypes but they are
that those are stereotypes but they are
that those are stereotypes but they are so ingrained in our culture that we’ve
so ingrained in our culture that we’ve
so ingrained in our culture that we’ve kind of started to take them as cultural
kind of started to take them as cultural
kind of started to take them as cultural truths which is terrifying so as I was
truths which is terrifying so as I was
truths which is terrifying so as I was thinking about this presentation I was
thinking about this presentation I was
thinking about this presentation I was thinking how can we take all of those
thinking how can we take all of those
thinking how can we take all of those things that we triste traditionally
things that we triste traditionally
things that we triste traditionally think about females and leadership roles
think about females and leadership roles
think about females and leadership roles you know those qualitative those
you know those qualitative those
you know those qualitative those emotional identifiers that we throw out
emotional identifiers that we throw out
emotional identifiers that we throw out there and how can we turn that into
there and how can we turn that into
there and how can we turn that into something that’s workable for us as
something that’s workable for us as
something that’s workable for us as females and leadership roles so the rest
females and leadership roles so the rest
females and leadership roles so the rest of this is kind of my attempt to do that
of this is kind of my attempt to do that
of this is kind of my attempt to do that and to help all the women and the men
and to help all the women and the men
and to help all the women and the men here in the audience figure out how we
here in the audience figure out how we
here in the audience figure out how we can change the outlook of females and
can change the outlook of females and
can change the outlook of females and leadership positions so
leadership positions so
leadership positions so leadership at its base level is all
leadership at its base level is all
leadership at its base level is all about relationships my absolute idol Pat
about relationships my absolute idol Pat
about relationships my absolute idol Pat Summitt choose the head basketball coach
Summitt choose the head basketball coach
Summitt choose the head basketball coach for the University of Tennessee for many
for the University of Tennessee for many
for the University of Tennessee for many many years just passed away within the
many years just passed away within the
many years just passed away within the last year she said you win in life with
last year she said you win in life with
last year she said you win in life with people it’s so easy and it’s so simple
people it’s so easy and it’s so simple
people it’s so easy and it’s so simple but that’s how leadership starts you
but that’s how leadership starts you
but that’s how leadership starts you cannot be a leader if you don’t have
cannot be a leader if you don’t have
cannot be a leader if you don’t have followers it’s all about building
followers it’s all about building
followers it’s all about building relationships if you cannot build a
relationships if you cannot build a
relationships if you cannot build a relationship you cannot be a leader
relationship you cannot be a leader
relationship you cannot be a leader period end of sentence so if we look
period end of sentence so if we look
period end of sentence so if we look kind of back through history we look at
kind of back through history we look at
kind of back through history we look at Aristotle and Aristotle wrote a book on
Aristotle and Aristotle wrote a book on
Aristotle and Aristotle wrote a book on rhetoric and he was talking about the
rhetoric and he was talking about the
rhetoric and he was talking about the greek word ethos which is character
greek word ethos which is character
greek word ethos which is character character is the foundation of that
character is the foundation of that
character is the foundation of that relationship building process and it’s
relationship building process and it’s
relationship building process and it’s something that we start building from
something that we start building from
something that we start building from the day that we’re born until the day
the day that we’re born until the day
the day that we’re born until the day that we die character is not how you
that we die character is not how you
that we die character is not how you present yourself how you present
present yourself how you present
present yourself how you present yourself as more your reputation okay
yourself as more your reputation okay
yourself as more your reputation okay character is who you are on a deep
character is who you are on a deep
character is who you are on a deep personal core level and so every
personal core level and so every
personal core level and so every opportunity that you have to build that
opportunity that you have to build that
opportunity that you have to build that character is either adding to your
character is either adding to your
character is either adding to your character or subtracting from it so
character or subtracting from it so
character or subtracting from it so let’s say that you’re at a drive-through
let’s say that you’re at a drive-through
let’s say that you’re at a drive-through your Starbucks okay my poor partner has
your Starbucks okay my poor partner has
your Starbucks okay my poor partner has had so many bad starbucks experiences
had so many bad starbucks experiences
had so many bad starbucks experiences where they’ve gotten her drink wrong or
where they’ve gotten her drink wrong or
where they’ve gotten her drink wrong or whatever and she handles it like a pro
whatever and she handles it like a pro
whatever and she handles it like a pro but you can handle these a couple
but you can handle these a couple
but you can handle these a couple different ways you can either get right
different ways you can either get right
different ways you can either get right up in that baristas face and say look
up in that baristas face and say look
up in that baristas face and say look you you did not get this right and just
you you did not get this right and just
you you did not get this right and just jump down their throat probably not good
jump down their throat probably not good
jump down their throat probably not good for your character okay that gives a
for your character okay that gives a
for your character okay that gives a pretty pretty bad impression but if you
pretty pretty bad impression but if you
pretty pretty bad impression but if you handle it with respect a little bit of
handle it with respect a little bit of
handle it with respect a little bit of kindness a little bit of love that’s
kindness a little bit of love that’s
kindness a little bit of love that’s adding to your character so everything
adding to your character so everything
adding to your character so everything that we do when we’re respectful when
that we do when we’re respectful when
that we do when we’re respectful when we’re loyal to our co-workers when we’re
we’re loyal to our co-workers when we’re
we’re loyal to our co-workers when we’re loyal to our family when we exudes a
loyal to our family when we exudes a
loyal to our family when we exudes a positive vibe when we practice true love
positive vibe when we practice true love
positive vibe when we practice true love and true friendship that’s adding to our
and true friendship that’s adding to our
and true friendship that’s adding to our character and that’s something that we
character and that’s something that we
character and that’s something that we tell our kids as they’re growing up
tell our kids as they’re growing up
tell our kids as they’re growing up that’s something that we tell everybody
that’s something that we tell everybody
that’s something that we tell everybody that we work with
that we work with
that we work with you have to be the type of person who is
you have to be the type of person who is
you have to be the type of person who is a person of character so once we’ve
a person of character so once we’ve
a person of character so once we’ve built that character we talked a little
built that character we talked a little
built that character we talked a little bit about reputation and kind of how
bit about reputation and kind of how
bit about reputation and kind of how people see you your personality is a big
people see you your personality is a big
people see you your personality is a big part of how people see you so take a
part of how people see you so take a
part of how people see you so take a second think of the first three words
second think of the first three words
second think of the first three words that come to your mind when I say
that come to your mind when I say
that come to your mind when I say describe yourself go all right when you
describe yourself go all right when you
describe yourself go all right when you think of these three words are they
think of these three words are they
think of these three words are they physical traits are they emotional
physical traits are they emotional
physical traits are they emotional traits how are you describing yourself
traits how are you describing yourself
traits how are you describing yourself because honestly women and men we missed
because honestly women and men we missed
because honestly women and men we missed the boat on this question in college
the boat on this question in college
the boat on this question in college applications in interviews we are not
applications in interviews we are not
applications in interviews we are not answering this question in a way that’s
answering this question in a way that’s
answering this question in a way that’s really going to help us out because it
really going to help us out because it
really going to help us out because it doesn’t do me a lot of good to come up
doesn’t do me a lot of good to come up
doesn’t do me a lot of good to come up here and say I’m super athletic or I’m
here and say I’m super athletic or I’m
here and say I’m super athletic or I’m super short those aren’t things that are
super short those aren’t things that are
super short those aren’t things that are going to make an employer want to hire
going to make an employer want to hire
going to make an employer want to hire me okay I know you all know I’m short I
me okay I know you all know I’m short I
me okay I know you all know I’m short I may be on stage but come on so I am a
may be on stage but come on so I am a
may be on stage but come on so I am a personality test junkie ok I love
personality test junkie ok I love
personality test junkie ok I love researching at work about you know six
researching at work about you know six
researching at work about you know six o’clock before a volleyball game starts
o’clock before a volleyball game starts
o’clock before a volleyball game starts I’ll pull up BuzzFeed and BuzzFeed can
I’ll pull up BuzzFeed and BuzzFeed can
I’ll pull up BuzzFeed and BuzzFeed can tell me what Taylor Swift song my
tell me what Taylor Swift song my
tell me what Taylor Swift song my personality is most like it can tell me
personality is most like it can tell me
personality is most like it can tell me what what type of cookie I am used to be
what what type of cookie I am used to be
what what type of cookie I am used to be snickerdoodle now I am double chocolate
snickerdoodle now I am double chocolate
snickerdoodle now I am double chocolate fudge chip because I’m too real don’t
fudge chip because I’m too real don’t
fudge chip because I’m too real don’t ask me what that means I don’t know
ask me what that means I don’t know
ask me what that means I don’t know there are a lot more scientific ones
there are a lot more scientific ones
there are a lot more scientific ones okay so one of the more scientific ones
okay so one of the more scientific ones
okay so one of the more scientific ones is the myers-briggs Type Indicator and
is the myers-briggs Type Indicator and
is the myers-briggs Type Indicator and what myers brigg does is it kind of
what myers brigg does is it kind of
what myers brigg does is it kind of compares your personality and your
compares your personality and your
compares your personality and your preferences and so it’s looking at at
preferences and so it’s looking at at
preferences and so it’s looking at at four different comparisons and the first
four different comparisons and the first
four different comparisons and the first one is whether you are more extroverted
one is whether you are more extroverted
one is whether you are more extroverted or whether you’re more introverted so
or whether you’re more introverted so
or whether you’re more introverted so extroverts tend to get their energy and
extroverts tend to get their energy and
extroverts tend to get their energy and get their good positive vibes from
get their good positive vibes from
get their good positive vibes from working with other people they’re
working with other people they’re
working with other people they’re bouncing ideas off of one another they
bouncing ideas off of one another they
bouncing ideas off of one another they like those group projects and they like
like those group projects and they like
like those group projects and they like that interaction with other people I’m
that interaction with other people I’m
that interaction with other people I’m not that person y’all
not that person y’all
not that person y’all I fall on the introverted side okay I
I fall on the introverted side okay I
I fall on the introverted side okay I like to compare it to drinking Earl Grey
like to compare it to drinking Earl Grey
like to compare it to drinking Earl Grey tea Earl Grey is my favorite and it is
tea Earl Grey is my favorite and it is
tea Earl Grey is my favorite and it is one of those kind of finicky tease where
one of those kind of finicky tease where
one of those kind of finicky tease where if you don’t steep it long enough it
if you don’t steep it long enough it
if you don’t steep it long enough it doesn’t quite taste right but if you
doesn’t quite taste right but if you
doesn’t quite taste right but if you steep it too long it’s way too strong
steep it too long it’s way too strong
steep it too long it’s way too strong that’s kind of how I get my energy and
that’s kind of how I get my energy and
that’s kind of how I get my energy and how I develop my ideas I kind of like to
how I develop my ideas I kind of like to
how I develop my ideas I kind of like to let them steep and build on it from my
let them steep and build on it from my
let them steep and build on it from my memories and experiences and just what
memories and experiences and just what
memories and experiences and just what feels right okay the next one is looking
feels right okay the next one is looking
feels right okay the next one is looking at whether you’re a more sensory or
at whether you’re a more sensory or
at whether you’re a more sensory or whether you’re more intuitive and
whether you’re more intuitive and
whether you’re more intuitive and sensory people kind of like it sounds
sensory people kind of like it sounds
sensory people kind of like it sounds they’re really relying on that see smell
they’re really relying on that see smell
they’re really relying on that see smell hear taste touch the five senses to take
hear taste touch the five senses to take
hear taste touch the five senses to take things from the world around them and
things from the world around them and
things from the world around them and really build their view and their
really build their view and their
really build their view and their perception of the world intuitive people
perception of the world intuitive people
perception of the world intuitive people kind of like metaphors I love metaphors
kind of like metaphors I love metaphors
kind of like metaphors I love metaphors I think it’s a great way to teach
I think it’s a great way to teach
I think it’s a great way to teach lessons and I like to read between the
lessons and I like to read between the
lessons and I like to read between the lines so I cannot fall into that
lines so I cannot fall into that
lines so I cannot fall into that category the next one is talking about
category the next one is talking about
category the next one is talking about whether you are more of a thinker or if
whether you are more of a thinker or if
whether you are more of a thinker or if you’re more of a feeler thinkers are
you’re more of a feeler thinkers are
you’re more of a feeler thinkers are going to look at what is the truth
going to look at what is the truth
going to look at what is the truth what’s logical what are the facts you
what’s logical what are the facts you
what’s logical what are the facts you know if the scientific method says this
know if the scientific method says this
know if the scientific method says this or if there’s a theory on this or if
or if there’s a theory on this or if
or if there’s a theory on this or if this is proven this is kind of where I
this is proven this is kind of where I
this is proven this is kind of where I want to be whereas feelers again this is
want to be whereas feelers again this is
want to be whereas feelers again this is me I like to know that stuff it’s really
me I like to know that stuff it’s really
me I like to know that stuff it’s really great information but does it feel right
great information but does it feel right
great information but does it feel right if I’m following my heart if I’m doing
if I’m following my heart if I’m doing
if I’m following my heart if I’m doing those things that make me feel good is
those things that make me feel good is
those things that make me feel good is this really where it’s going to take me
this really where it’s going to take me
this really where it’s going to take me and the last one is whether you are more
and the last one is whether you are more
and the last one is whether you are more perceptive or whether you have a little
perceptive or whether you have a little
perceptive or whether you have a little bit more judgment in your life and that
bit more judgment in your life and that
bit more judgment in your life and that perception is being able to extrapolate
perception is being able to extrapolate
perception is being able to extrapolate from the things that are going on around
from the things that are going on around
from the things that are going on around you and all of the input and be okay
you and all of the input and be okay
you and all of the input and be okay with you know what we’re going to go
with you know what we’re going to go
with you know what we’re going to go with the flow a little bit we’re kind of
with the flow a little bit we’re kind of
with the flow a little bit we’re kind of going to ride the wave we’re going to
going to ride the wave we’re going to
going to ride the wave we’re going to figure out where this is going I may not
figure out where this is going I may not
figure out where this is going I may not have a solid plan but we’ll get there a
have a solid plan but we’ll get there a
have a solid plan but we’ll get there a to be we’ll figure it out I may not be
to be we’ll figure it out I may not be
to be we’ll figure it out I may not be able to tell you where I want to go for
able to tell you where I want to go for
able to tell you where I want to go for dinner that night
dinner that night
dinner that night I may not be able to tell you what pair
I may not be able to tell you what pair
I may not be able to tell you what pair of shoes I want to wear but at work if
of shoes I want to wear but at work if
of shoes I want to wear but at work if we have a problem to solve I’m going to
we have a problem to solve I’m going to
we have a problem to solve I’m going to make a plan okay and I want to be in a
make a plan okay and I want to be in a
make a plan okay and I want to be in a position where I feel like you know what
position where I feel like you know what
position where I feel like you know what this plan is going to work so here I
this plan is going to work so here I
this plan is going to work so here I know that I am an infj introverted
know that I am an infj introverted
know that I am an infj introverted intuitive feeling and judgment what does
intuitive feeling and judgment what does
intuitive feeling and judgment what does that mean to you guys what does that
that mean to you guys what does that
that mean to you guys what does that mean to me how do I bring that to an
mean to me how do I bring that to an
mean to me how do I bring that to an interview and I struggled with that for
interview and I struggled with that for
interview and I struggled with that for a while and I’m sitting here thinking
a while and I’m sitting here thinking
a while and I’m sitting here thinking I’m just falling back into that same
I’m just falling back into that same
I’m just falling back into that same stereotype of being an emotional woman
stereotype of being an emotional woman
stereotype of being an emotional woman and how am I going to develop my
and how am I going to develop my
and how am I going to develop my leadership skills until I decided I’m
leadership skills until I decided I’m
leadership skills until I decided I’m going to take all of those things and
going to take all of those things and
going to take all of those things and develop a motto a slogan a tagline if
develop a motto a slogan a tagline if
develop a motto a slogan a tagline if you will so that I can put all of those
you will so that I can put all of those
you will so that I can put all of those things out there and it describes my
things out there and it describes my
things out there and it describes my character my personality and who I am as
character my personality and who I am as
character my personality and who I am as a leader so if you saw the title of my
a leader so if you saw the title of my
a leader so if you saw the title of my speech you already know my tagline my
speech you already know my tagline my
speech you already know my tagline my tagline is that I am intensely sincere
tagline is that I am intensely sincere
tagline is that I am intensely sincere and sincerely intense here’s what that
and sincerely intense here’s what that
and sincerely intense here’s what that means to me this is my truth intensely
means to me this is my truth intensely
means to me this is my truth intensely sincere I’m going to wear my heart on my
sincere I’m going to wear my heart on my
sincere I’m going to wear my heart on my sleeve so if you hire me I’m going to be
sleeve so if you hire me I’m going to be
sleeve so if you hire me I’m going to be that person who wants to know about my
that person who wants to know about my
that person who wants to know about my coworkers I want to know what makes you
coworkers I want to know what makes you
coworkers I want to know what makes you tick how can I communicate with you to
tick how can I communicate with you to
tick how can I communicate with you to get the best result are you a hugger are
get the best result are you a hugger are
get the best result are you a hugger are you a fist bump or do I shake your hand
you a fist bump or do I shake your hand
you a fist bump or do I shake your hand do I ask you how your dog is doing after
do I ask you how your dog is doing after
do I ask you how your dog is doing after you take it to the vet I want to know
you take it to the vet I want to know
you take it to the vet I want to know these things because I want to be
these things because I want to be
these things because I want to be invested in who you are as a person and
invested in who you are as a person and
invested in who you are as a person and so that’s what I bring to the table
so that’s what I bring to the table
so that’s what I bring to the table every day when I go to work and honestly
every day when I go to work and honestly
every day when I go to work and honestly it’s something that I’m still working on
it’s something that I’m still working on
it’s something that I’m still working on I’m obviously very very young in my
I’m obviously very very young in my
I’m obviously very very young in my position but I think that those people
position but I think that those people
position but I think that those people skills and being intensely sincere about
skills and being intensely sincere about
skills and being intensely sincere about how I feel and how I want to relate to
how I feel and how I want to relate to
how I feel and how I want to relate to my co-workers and to those who are under
my co-workers and to those who are under
my co-workers and to those who are under my charge is something that’s very
my charge is something that’s very
my charge is something that’s very important on the flip side this
important on the flip side this
important on the flip side this sincerely intense I have two stories to
sincerely intense I have two stories to
sincerely intense I have two stories to illustrate this the first one imagine
illustrate this the first one imagine
illustrate this the first one imagine little three-foot-tall Brit playing
little three-foot-tall Brit playing
little three-foot-tall Brit playing basketball I
basketball I
basketball I such a baller back in southern Indiana
such a baller back in southern Indiana
such a baller back in southern Indiana that’s all you do is play basketball
that’s all you do is play basketball
that’s all you do is play basketball right six year old Brit playing girls
right six year old Brit playing girls
right six year old Brit playing girls club basketball I make a pass person on
club basketball I make a pass person on
club basketball I make a pass person on the receiving end of the pass puts up a
the receiving end of the pass puts up a
the receiving end of the pass puts up a layup it goes in I get an assist Booya I
layup it goes in I get an assist Booya I
layup it goes in I get an assist Booya I go fist bumping all down the court all
go fist bumping all down the court all
go fist bumping all down the court all the way from in line to in line just
the way from in line to in line just
the way from in line to in line just really excited about it so I’m standing
really excited about it so I’m standing
really excited about it so I’m standing in line at burger king which moves my
in line at burger king which moves my
in line at burger king which moves my dad’s favorite restaurant for like eight
dad’s favorite restaurant for like eight
dad’s favorite restaurant for like eight and a half years whopper jr. cheese no
and a half years whopper jr. cheese no
and a half years whopper jr. cheese no tomato no onion every single time sorry
tomato no onion every single time sorry
tomato no onion every single time sorry dad so we’re standing in line waiting to
dad so we’re standing in line waiting to
dad so we’re standing in line waiting to get whopper juniors and my mom goes I
get whopper juniors and my mom goes I
get whopper juniors and my mom goes I saw you a fist-pumping after you made
saw you a fist-pumping after you made
saw you a fist-pumping after you made that pass today and I think my face
that pass today and I think my face
that pass today and I think my face probably turned the same shade of red as
probably turned the same shade of red as
probably turned the same shade of red as my jacket right now I was so embarrassed
my jacket right now I was so embarrassed
my jacket right now I was so embarrassed because I thought that she was going to
because I thought that she was going to
because I thought that she was going to say something to the effect of you may
say something to the effect of you may
say something to the effect of you may need to tone that down a little bit
need to tone that down a little bit
need to tone that down a little bit Britt but she didn’t and what she said
Britt but she didn’t and what she said
Britt but she didn’t and what she said to me next has stuck with me for the
to me next has stuck with me for the
to me next has stuck with me for the last 22 years she said I like that never
last 22 years she said I like that never
last 22 years she said I like that never lose that always be that intense and
lose that always be that intense and
lose that always be that intense and that’s something that I wish more
that’s something that I wish more
that’s something that I wish more mothers would say to their children
mothers would say to their children
mothers would say to their children because sometimes whether you have a son
because sometimes whether you have a son
because sometimes whether you have a son or a daughter or a grandson or
or a daughter or a grandson or
or a daughter or a grandson or granddaughter we don’t always encourage
granddaughter we don’t always encourage
granddaughter we don’t always encourage them to be their emotional selves and to
them to be their emotional selves and to
them to be their emotional selves and to be emotional beings and we lose out on a
be emotional beings and we lose out on a
be emotional beings and we lose out on a great great part of their personalities
great great part of their personalities
great great part of their personalities that way and I was so blessed to be
that way and I was so blessed to be
that way and I was so blessed to be raised in a home where my emotions were
raised in a home where my emotions were
raised in a home where my emotions were encouraged and my emotions were nurtured
encouraged and my emotions were nurtured
encouraged and my emotions were nurtured and that’s something that I appreciate
and that’s something that I appreciate
and that’s something that I appreciate second story for years ago when this
second story for years ago when this
second story for years ago when this photo was taken I was on my second
photo was taken I was on my second
photo was taken I was on my second cross-country cycling trip why I didn’t
cross-country cycling trip why I didn’t
cross-country cycling trip why I didn’t think one was enough I don’t know I am a
think one was enough I don’t know I am a
think one was enough I don’t know I am a glutton for punishment y’all so i am in
glutton for punishment y’all so i am in
glutton for punishment y’all so i am in ontario oregon which is a very very very
ontario oregon which is a very very very
ontario oregon which is a very very very small very small town on the border of
small very small town on the border of
small very small town on the border of idaho and oregon and this is right about
idaho and oregon and this is right about
idaho and oregon and this is right about the time that mcdonald’s put out their
the time that mcdonald’s put out their
the time that mcdonald’s put out their 50 piece chicken mcnuggets
50 piece chicken mcnuggets
50 piece chicken mcnuggets it’s like twenty dollars or whatever for
it’s like twenty dollars or whatever for
it’s like twenty dollars or whatever for 50 pieces of like salted cardboard
50 pieces of like salted cardboard
50 pieces of like salted cardboard whatever it is that they serve you and
whatever it is that they serve you and
whatever it is that they serve you and me being sincerely intense read
me being sincerely intense read
me being sincerely intense read super-competitive decided hey I’m going
super-competitive decided hey I’m going
super-competitive decided hey I’m going to challenge the other 29 people on my
to challenge the other 29 people on my
to challenge the other 29 people on my cycling trip to a 50 piece chicken
cycling trip to a 50 piece chicken
cycling trip to a 50 piece chicken mcnugget eating challenge okay only
mcnugget eating challenge okay only
mcnugget eating challenge okay only three other people took part in this I
three other people took part in this I
three other people took part in this I got the chicken nugget number 45 before
got the chicken nugget number 45 before
got the chicken nugget number 45 before I had to run to the restroom I’ve never
I had to run to the restroom I’ve never
I had to run to the restroom I’ve never in my life been so sick nor have I ever
in my life been so sick nor have I ever
in my life been so sick nor have I ever despised riding on a bike the next day
despised riding on a bike the next day
despised riding on a bike the next day as much as I did the next day but by god
as much as I did the next day but by god
as much as I did the next day but by god after I went to the restroom I came back
after I went to the restroom I came back
after I went to the restroom I came back and I finished those other five chicken
and I finished those other five chicken
and I finished those other five chicken nuggets so what are these stories mean
nuggets so what are these stories mean
nuggets so what are these stories mean whenever we’re talking about being
whenever we’re talking about being
whenever we’re talking about being sincerely intense for me it is making
sincerely intense for me it is making
sincerely intense for me it is making sure that you know I’m going to be your
sure that you know I’m going to be your
sure that you know I’m going to be your rallying point I’m going to be that
rallying point I’m going to be that
rallying point I’m going to be that person who’s going to push you I’m going
person who’s going to push you I’m going
person who’s going to push you I’m going to be that person who wants to inspire
to be that person who wants to inspire
to be that person who wants to inspire you but I’m not going to overwhelm you
you but I’m not going to overwhelm you
you but I’m not going to overwhelm you I’m not going to be this female boss
I’m not going to be this female boss
I’m not going to be this female boss over here that’s going to be so cold and
over here that’s going to be so cold and
over here that’s going to be so cold and deadline-driven that you’re not going to
deadline-driven that you’re not going to
deadline-driven that you’re not going to know which way is up I want to meet you
know which way is up I want to meet you
know which way is up I want to meet you where you are and then we can lead each
where you are and then we can lead each
where you are and then we can lead each other to where we need to go but being
other to where we need to go but being
other to where we need to go but being intense doesn’t have to mean being cold
intense doesn’t have to mean being cold
intense doesn’t have to mean being cold hearted it just means being really
hearted it just means being really
hearted it just means being really really focused on what you want and what
really focused on what you want and what
really focused on what you want and what your goals are so as we’re going and
your goals are so as we’re going and
your goals are so as we’re going and finishing up I want you to think about
finishing up I want you to think about
finishing up I want you to think about this go back to those three words that
this go back to those three words that
this go back to those three words that you guys thought about whenever I asked
you guys thought about whenever I asked
you guys thought about whenever I asked you to think of words to describe
you to think of words to describe
you to think of words to describe yourself have those changed if they
yourself have those changed if they
yourself have those changed if they haven’t think about how can i change
haven’t think about how can i change
haven’t think about how can i change those to show Who I am emotionally but
those to show Who I am emotionally but
those to show Who I am emotionally but who I also am as a leader and that’s a
who I also am as a leader and that’s a
who I also am as a leader and that’s a challenge for anybody male or female in
challenge for anybody male or female in
challenge for anybody male or female in this room and as you go out into your
this room and as you go out into your
this room and as you go out into your lives tomorrow and in the days ahead
lives tomorrow and in the days ahead
lives tomorrow and in the days ahead challenge yourselves to find your
challenge yourselves to find your
challenge yourselves to find your tagline to find your place to find your
tagline to find your place to find your
tagline to find your place to find your leadership style because at the end of
leadership style because at the end of
leadership style because at the end of the day you can do and be and propel
the day you can do and be and propel
the day you can do and be and propel yourself anywhere that you want
yourself anywhere that you want
yourself anywhere that you want to be you can be a rock star you can be
to be you can be a rock star you can be
to be you can be a rock star you can be a great leader and by god you can be a
a great leader and by god you can be a
a great leader and by god you can be a badass thanks
badass thanks
badass thanks [Applause]
”
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