What was your experience like working with a TEDxSanAntonio curator?
Gage E. Paine, J.D., Ph.D.: Excellent! I was asked to give a ten-minute talk rather than a twenty-minute one and she was wonderful at helping me think through the most important parts of my ideas. Most important, my curator and the entire TEDxSanAntonio team were willing to take a chance on what I wanted to do. First, I wanted to talk about silence which could be considered a bit odd. Second, I wanted to open my talk with a full minute of silence. After they confirmed that I was serious, and understood what and how I would do it, they agreed to it. I’ve always appreciated their willingness to honor my idea.
What first brought you to TEDxSanAntonio?
GP: I attended the first one in 2010. I had learned about it through a friend who was speaking and I enjoyed the entire experience. My friend suggested I had something worth sharing and so I worked up the nerve to apply – twice.
What tips do you have for future speakers?
GP: Speak about something you really care about that you believe will matter to others. Those are the talks people will remember and that have the most impact.
And, of course, practice, practice, practice. I have done a fair amount of public speaking in my career, but the pressure to do well here is enormous. From the caliber of the speakers before and after to the blinking countdown clock, not to mention it’s part of the TED world, it can be a bit intimidating. So, listen to your curator and practice!
What’s your favorite TED talk?
GP: Benjamin Zander’s, The Transformative Power of Classical Music. His exuberance, his faith in the power of music, and his wish to use his gifts to make a difference inspire and delight me.
How has your life changed since doing your TEDxSanAntonio talk?
GP: After more than thirty years working in higher education, I have made a career change into educational consulting with Keeling & Associates. I hope to take all that I have learned about educational administration, organizations, and leadership and help campus leaders do their best work for their students, colleagues and organizations.
What is your favorite quote from your own talk?
GP: “It is through silence and listening that we can understand ourselves and each other and it seems to me that’s something our world needs today.”
What projects, etc. are you working on now?
GP: In addition to learning about my new role in higher education, after all of my years working in higher education, I finally understand what I learned in college and why it matters and I’m writing a book about that.
Where/how can we keep up with you now?
Twitter: @gagepaine
Email: gpaine@keelingassociates.com
Watch Gage’s TEDxSanAntonio talk from the 2012 Be Bold event.
Join the TEDxSanAntonio community and previous speakers at this November’s Now You Know event. Buy your tickets online now. >>>>>> tedxsanantonio.com/2016-fall-speakers/