Sage Steele

YES….race/gender/religion are all important cogs of diversity. But I truly believe diversity BEGINS AND ENDS with diversity of THOUGHT. Diversity/tolerance/acceptance….MUST begin with diversity of thought. I have many examples that I am willing to share.. when diversity of thought has been used against me/other public figures, etc… and how we can hold each other (personally, professionally & publicly) accountable to be better and practice TRUE diversity! In my opinion, practicing this is the ONLY way our country improves and heals.

My father, a 1970 West Point graduate, raised us with this motto. It's part of the cadet prayer at West Point which reads, “help me to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and to never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won”. I have found that if we stop and think about it, we usually know exactly what decision we SHOULD make. Whether it applies to our personal lives or our careers, deep down, we know the answer! The key is actually being honest with ourselves, and then following through with it. For a basic, everyday example… putting the grocery cart in the designated area in the parking lot even though its much faster and easier to shove it up on the curb because we’re all so “busy” !! This motto (prayer) has guided me through some of my toughest times in life, and has proven to be so helpful when pondering nearly every aspect of life.

I want to go deep on the sometimes difficult, yet important decision to stand up for ourselves, but to do so with grace & kindness. I have countless stories from my 27+ years as a tv sportscaster… stories and examples that begin with me being a super shy young woman with a big non-traditional dream (especially at the time) …in a man’s world with no confidence, no experience, as a textbook people-pleaser, afraid to stand up for myself….and the conscious decisions I HAD to make in order to survive…and eventually, flourish. This can definitely be tailored to female audiences (of all ages) but male as well. I have been amazed by how few men are willing to put their neck on the line and stand up for themselves or others, despite what society says about/expects from men. But in order to find true success, we must be willing to stand tall, which means being brave enough to cast fear aside. Fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of being disliked…so many fears! But once we do, and we come out on the other side, it truly is a beautiful thing…which only encourages us to keep pushing, keep reaching for the stars, by standing tall.