\u201cPractice makes permanent.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t rise to the level of our expectations, \u201cThere is no tough. There is only trained\u2026and untrained.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Left over from decades of training for combat operations, big leadership moments, and Ironman races, these mantras echoed in my mind every day during my\u00a0TEDx<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0preparation.<\/p>\n I had been offered a unique opportunity\u2014and I had to deliver. That meant I couldn\u2019t just wing it.<\/p>\n I had to craft every word, plan every movement, and rehearse every detail. I needed to become so familiar with the 1,900 words of my presentation that I could pick it up at any point and keep going.<\/p>\n I memorized lines during early morning runs. I rehearsed while driving to work (where I\u2019m sure my hand gestures triggered a few looks from other drivers).<\/p>\n And I recorded video in my home rehearsal space above the garage, which meant getting over the awkwardness of watching myself perform.<\/p>\n Today, I\u2019m excited to share\u00a0a bit of that video<\/a>\u00a0with you.<\/p>\n This clip captures my perspective of the 2008 rocket attack on our small base in Sadr City, Iraq\u2014a story I used to set up the core message of my TEDx talk. I\u2019ve added on-screen text to show how I blended the words and movements into a synchronized performance.<\/p>\n Getting this story right was a true learning journey. In this video, you\u2019ll see how I:<\/p>\n But the biggest challenge? Translating the chaos of combat into a story that a civilian audience could genuinely\u00a0feel<\/em>.<\/p>\n Thankfully, I believe the preparation paid off\u2014and I delivered exactly as I rehearsed.<\/p>\n The full TEDx talk goes live in the coming weeks. It\u2019s titled:<\/p>\n \u201cHow to Lead Through the First 10 Minutes of Any Crisis.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait for you to see it, and I\u2019d deeply appreciate you\u00a0watching and sharing<\/strong>\u00a0it with your network of friends and colleagues when it comes out.<\/p>\n Until then, I hope this video offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to prepare for a big moment\u2014and how powerful storytelling can carry a leader\u2019s message.<\/p>\n Thanks for checking it out and I\u2019d love to know what stands out to you in this rehearsal. Email me or leave a comment on social media!<\/p>\n Lead well, \ud83c\udfa5\u00a0Watch the full story rehearsal!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
we fall to the level of our training.\u201d
<\/em>(Archilochus, c. 650 BCE)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themilitaryleader.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-10-055204.png?resize=441%2C294&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nA Steep Learning Curve<\/h2>\n
\n
Watch for the TEDx Video Launch<\/h2>\n
Drew<\/p>\n