Leadership & Communication - The speaker emphasizes the importance of being comfortable in uncomfortable situations for effective leadership and communication [1][13][14] - The speaker shares personal stories to illustrate how leaders must step out of their comfort zones to serve the mission and the people [1][13] - The speaker highlights empathy, humanity, honesty, and transparency as key attributes of great leaders [1][16] Crisis Management - The speaker recounts experiences dealing with crises, including the Boston Marathon bombing and the murder of a transit employee, emphasizing the lack of a playbook and the need for genuine leadership [1][8][9] - The speaker underscores the importance of supporting the families and employees during tragic events [1][11][12] Transit & Community - The speaker views transit as a microcosm of society, bringing people together and creating access to opportunities [1][4] - The speaker shares an experience leading a successful transit election in Austin, highlighting the challenges and growth involved in becoming the face of the initiative [1][2][3]