How to introduce yourself | Kevin Bahler | TEDxLehighRiver

Summary

Kevin Bahler, a grant writer for the Allentown Symphony Association, shares his journey of self-introduction from childhood to adulthood. He reflects on the evolution from honest, personal introductions to conforming to societal norms for acceptance. Kevin encourages embracing one's passions and being authentic, as it leads to meaningful connections and happiness. His talk challenges the audience to find a way to introduce themselves that truly represents who they are.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kevin Bahler, a grant writer for Allentown Symphony Association, starts his speech reflecting on the monotony of professional introductions and the loss of personal expression.
• 🌈 In childhood, Kevin had diverse and colorful introductions that reflected his interests and personality, such as his favorite color and activities.
• 🤿 Kevin's transition to more 'normal' introductions in high school was a response to the social pressure to fit in, which he admits led to a less exciting social life.
• 🎓 College didn't change the pattern of introductions, with majors being the new norm, but Kevin found this approach to be equally uninteresting and limiting.
• 🧐 Kevin's realization in college that 'safe' friends and conversations were boring led him to embrace honesty and express his true interests, which improved his social experiences.
• 🏆 Kevin's personal victory in high school was to survive without being ostracized, but at the cost of not being true to himself.
• 🎉 After embracing his passions, Kevin found that the people who mattered most in his life were those who appreciated his authenticity.
• 🚶 Kevin's narrative shows a journey from conforming to societal expectations to valuing personal happiness and self-expression.
• 🤝 The speech encourages the audience to be open about their passions, even in the face of potential criticism or rejection.
• 💼 Kevin acknowledges the pride in his job but also recognizes that it doesn't define him, and that there are other aspects of life he is passionate about.
• 🌟 The speech concludes with a challenge to the audience to find a way to introduce themselves that truly represents who they are, beyond their job or status.

Q & A

What is Kevin Bahler's profession?

Kevin Bahler is a grant writer for Allentown Symphony Association.

Why does Kevin find it strange to introduce himself by his job title?

Kevin finds it strange because he believes introductions should reflect more personal aspects of who he is, rather than just his profession.

What did Kevin's childhood introductions include?

Kevin's childhood introductions included his favorite color, his pet's name, and his love for finger-painting, reflecting his interests and personality at the time.

How did Kevin's introductions change as he grew older?

As Kevin grew older, his introductions became more focused on fitting in socially, aligning with what was considered normal or expected by his peers.

Why did Kevin stop practicing martial arts in high school?

Kevin stopped mentioning his martial arts practice in high school because he wanted to fit in and avoid being seen as a 'quiche-gobbling wannabe Ninja'.

What was the typical college introduction according to Kevin's experience?

The typical college introduction was focused on one's major, which Kevin found to be a safe and conforming way to introduce oneself.

How did Kevin's approach to friendships change in college?

Kevin initially mastered the art of safe introductions and friendships in college, but eventually realized that these safe friends were boring and he needed to be honest about his passions to find true connections.

What realization did Kevin have about his 'safe' college friendships?

Kevin realized that his 'safe' college friendships were not fulfilling, and that he was not enjoying himself, which led him to change his approach to being more honest and open about his interests.

What passions did Kevin decide to openly express in his college years?

Kevin decided to openly express his fascination with chemistry and physics, his love for the band Muse, and his enduring love for finger-painting.

How did Kevin's approach to introductions change after realizing the limitations of 'safe' friendships?

Kevin started being more honest in his introductions, expressing his true interests and passions, which ultimately led him to form more meaningful and exciting friendships.

What is the main message Kevin wants to convey in his speech?

The main message Kevin wants to convey is the importance of being true to oneself and expressing one's passions, even if it means risking rejection from others, in order to find genuine connections and happiness.