We’ve spent the last few weeks diving into the philosophy of TEDxDuluth, focusing on Igniting Personal Development to achieve professional growth. But what happens when you step away from the daily grind and make space for an aha moment?

We sat down with Christian Koelling, a Twin Ports Rotaract Advisor and Director of Men’s Hockey Operations at UMD, whose background in sports and community service drives the organizational precision of the event. Despite meeting only moments before, the conversation quickly became a personal look at the value of making time for growth.

Part I: The Unexpected Depth of the Conversation

Christian’s perspective, shaped by 18 seasons in hockey operations and nearly two decades as a Harbortown Rotarian, challenges the notion that being busy equates to being better. He stresses that the event’s true power lies in the human connections made in the downtime.

The conversation highlighted a key truth: you don’t have to know someone for long to connect.

• On the Initial Connection: “I give them [the students] all the credit… the students thought this would be something that would be able to highlight, certainly sharing ideas and just an event that our town could use, and I think it’s a great way to bring people together.”
• On Finding Common Ground: “I just think if individuals are deliberate about reaching out their hand and saying hello, and starting a conversation, I think there’ll be plenty to talk about… Hopefully, not only benefiting from the presentations themselves, but it’s our aim that there will be some connections made where people can get an additional benefit through that.”

Part II: The Teamwork and Operations Mindset

Christian is quick to credit the executive team (Star, Kadie, and Mark) for the heavy lifting, but his background provides the critical insight into why dedicating a full Friday to this event is essential for professional organizations.

The Idea: Making Space for the “Aha” Moment

Christian argues that in our day-to-day lives, we are all “just getting through what needs to get done,” but that this routine suffocates the potential for breakthrough.

“I think it’s really important that people carve out time to make themselves better. And if you can attend this event, and if you leave with just one aha moment where something hits you, or you can view things differently, or if you can change a habit, or do something to benefit yourself; that’s just going to compound over your life.”

He emphasizes that you have to make space for it, and TEDxDuluth is intentionally creating that space.

Making a Weekend of Growth: The UMD Connection

Christian confirms the strategic scheduling of the Friday event to encourage tourism and extended stay. And for any hockey fans looking to combine their intellectual growth with some high-octane entertainment, he offers a perfect weekend agenda:

“I’ll throw in a plug, you know, just as Director of Hockey Operations for the Bulldogs, we have North Dakota in town that weekend. So, any hockey fans that want to catch TEDxDuluth on Friday and then come to the Bulldog game, that’s a nice little agenda for the weekend.”

Why Businesses Should Invest:

Christian is passionate about seeing the local business community utilize TEDxDuluth as a development tool:

• The Liberating Insight: “I’d really love to see the business community grab a hold of it as a way to help develop their staff and their workforce. There’ll be a lot of not-industry specific [training], and I think it’s a great opportunity for businesses to get behind it and send their people and give their employees that opportunity to grow, which will just strengthen their organization.”

Part III: The Value of Investing Time in Yourself

The theme of Igniting Personal Development is rooted in navigating the major transitions of life. Christian shares that his most significant growth came during times of uncertainty, when he was forced to make decisions or do soul-searching.

“I think those are the times where I’ve had the most growth in my life, when maybe things weren’t going well, or maybe when something needed to change… I think that’s a transformative time in anyone’s life.”

For Christian, involvement in the community is a source of purpose and enjoyment.

“Being able to be involved in something that’s bigger than yourself… and hopefully make a difference in other people’s lives.”

His final, most personal piece of advice, revealed during a moment of spontaneous conversation about public speaking, is a simple rule for both speakers and attendees: Be real and be prepared.

“Don’t self-deprecate. … When the speaker gets up there and goes, ‘Oh, this is my first TED Talk, and I’m really nervous, so bear with me,’ it’s like, ‘Oh, you didn’t seem nervous – now I’m noticing it.’”

Be present, be prepared, and be confident in the value you bring to the room.

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Ticket Launch Announcement

We are just days away from releasing the full speaker lineup and launching ticket sales! Don’t miss the chance to be part of the inaugural TEDxDuluth experience.

Visit the official website to volunteer, or join the email list for updates.

Check us out on LinkedIn @TEDxDuluth 

Listen to the Full Interview

Experience the spontaneous conversation that inspired this post: [LINK TO AUDIO FILE]