What if the path to becoming more human wasn’t through perfection – but through the mess we spend so much energy trying to avoid?
At TEDxSydney, our founder Monty Badami took the stage to explore one of the most urgent leadership and cultural questions of our time: what does it really mean to lead with humanity?
Drawing from anthropology, emotional intelligence, and decades of cross-cultural research – including time spent with the Paniya people of South India – Monty challenged the tidy, control-oriented frameworks we so often rely on in work and life.
His message was clear: our diversity, creativity and imperfection are not liabilities – they’re the very things that help us adapt, innovate and connect in times of uncertainty.
As Vesuvius erupted, the people of Pompeii didn’t panic. They showed up for each other. They helped. They gathered. It’s a poignant reminder that even in crisis, our instinct is to connect, not control.
That’s the deeper story behind Monty’s TEDx talk. It’s not just a celebration of what makes us human – it’s a call to action to stop polishing the mess out of our relationships, workplaces, and institutions. Because in doing so, we lose the very qualities that help us thrive.
So much of leadership training still focuses on clarity, control and performance. But real human connection – the kind that builds trust and sustains culture – is forged in the moments we can’t script. It emerges in the nuance, discomfort, and difference we so often shy away from.
Monty brings the lens of anthropology to remind us that discomfort is not a problem to fix, but a signal of growth. That’s what makes this talk so powerful. It’s not just inspirational – it’s deeply practical for anyone navigating fractured teams, polarised environments, or cultures in need of repair.
If you’ve ever struggled to lead through complexity, wondered how to build a culture of belonging, or felt like your team is avoiding the real conversations – this talk is for you.
Watch it now on YouTube:
If it sparks something in you, we invite you to explore how Brave Conversations can turn insight into action.
This 2-minute culture check offers a safe way to surface the conversations your people might be holding back — and what to do about it.
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