Kevin Neal

Every individual is essentially a book filled with unique stories. However, many people walk through life never knowing or embracing their own story. It is your responsibility to take the helm, write your own story, and live by it. In this talk, we will cover the following:
- Many people see themselves as bystanders in life and in
stories they read.
- Every life is a book, but most people read their lives
instead of writing them.
- To be a leader, one must learn to lead themselves by
writing their own story.
- Choosing your own path makes you the headliner of your
own story.
- Allowing others to write our stories takes away our power, voice, and unique perspectives.
- Writing our own stories means taking responsibility for our own biases and prejudices.
- We must actively work to understand and dismantle systemic
barriers to create a more inclusive and equitable world.
- Take control of your own story and use your unique
perspective and experiences to create positive change

Soup is a dish that most people have at some point in life tried and usually enjoyed. A nice hot bowl of chicken or vegetable soup on a cold winter’s day hits the spot. One thing that is essential in every soup recipe is the necessity of several ingredients. Without other ingredients, soup is just water. However, when you add other ingredients, onions, peas, peppers, salt, etc., you have a delicious dish. When we allow life, community, job, and school to become a collective of only one ingredient, it becomes just like the water. The differences in cultures, backgrounds, and experiences do not take away from us; they add to us. It is the combination of various tastes, textures, and flavors that makes the soup so delicious. Boiling a pot of water does not make soup. Don’t believe it? Taste the soup.

"Don't Call it a Pass, You Fumbled" emphasizes the critical role of leadership mentoring in shaping the next generation of leaders and ensuring smooth leadership transitions. Succession planning is not just a "pass" of responsibility but a deliberate, well-coached process. With the inevitability of senior leadership positions becoming vacant and the stresses that develop without proper mentoring, leadership transitions become chaotic, resulting in "fumbles" that could harm the organization's stability.

The talk emphasizes that strong mentorship prepares emerging leaders for the tasks ahead and for the emotional and strategic weight of leadership itself. By sharing knowledge, experience, and insights, seasoned leaders can guide future ones to avoid common mistakes and continue the legacy of effective leadership. The absence of such mentorship is likened to setting up the next generation for failure, as they are left to scramble for answers without adequate preparation.