Deeds Over Decibels
Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here. “Walking the Walk versus just Talking the Talk.” It’s a common refrain, especially in our digitally saturated world where words often flow much easier than actions. On The Collective this week, Chance and I were joined by a powerhouse panel – Pat Miller, Matt Barnett, and Gordon Hurley – to dissect what it truly means to “Walk the Walk.”
The conversation quickly began delving into the nuances of integrity, authenticity, accountability, the challenge of balancing deeds with necessary communication, and the internal drive required to embody your principles, especially when no one is watching (or when everyone is).
This Week’s Walkers (and Talkers):
Pat Miller: 20-year military veteran (CANSOFCOM), now in film & professional photography.
Matt Barnett: Owner of Barnett Explosives, entrepreneur, and master of real-world results.
Gordo: 15-year military veteran (CANSOFCOM), graphic designer, and veteran advocate.
Key Insights From Our Conversation:
1. The Humility of Action vs. The Noise of the Net
Gordo kicked it off by emphasizing that in the military, you had to back up your talk, or you got served a slice of humble pie. Now post-service, he has realized the power of keeping his lips zipped and simply leading by example. Pat echoed this, noting the catch-22 of the civilian world that often demands more and more talk, even though substance is lacking; a hard to balance contrast when used to the military’s action-first ethos. The digital age, as Gordo pointed out, is rife with distractions and performative “action and support” that often lacks tangible action or results.
2. Planting Trees, Not Just Candy Wrappers
Matt offered a powerful analogy: talking without doing is like eating a candy bar – it’s a quick, unsatisfying snack. In contrast, walking the walk is like planting a tree, something that matures and provides sustenance for years, for generations. It’s about building something of substance that supports you and yours, where success speaks for itself rather than needing constant self-promotion.
3. Integrity, Authenticity, Accountability – The Three Pillars
I proposed a three-pillar framework: Integrity (your internal values, your internal architecture, who you believe you are), Authenticity (the external, genuine reflection of that internal architecture), and Accountability (the mechanisms, internal or external, that keep your authenticity aligned with your integrity). In the military, accountability was often immediate and external. In the digital world, it’s far easier for these pillars to become disconnected, leading to inauthentic digital avatars and a lack of real-world consequences for empty talk.
4. When is the Talk Useful? Leadership, Teamwork, and Vulnerability
We acknowledged that talk is necessary. Matt highlighted that leadership requires communication to get a team on board; authenticity in conveying a vision is key. Pat brought up the “orders group” – you can’t execute a mission without clear communication. Sometimes, talk is about asking for help, filling gaps, and building a team to achieve a shared goal. Gordo pointed out that stepping outside your comfort zone (like networking) and admitting vulnerability is authentic and can be a powerful connector.
5. Owning Your Quirks & Your “N of 1”
A significant thread was the importance of being true to your unique self. As I shared, I love meeting other quirky people. Embracing your personal quirks, and putting that authentic self out there without excessive explanation or apology, is a powerful form of walking your walk. Chance reinforced this: with over 8 billion people on the planet, your unique combination of experiences and perspectives is your strength. Trying to be someone else is a disservice to your “N of 1” experiment.
6. The Discomfort of Growth & The “Embrace the Suck” Mentality
Walking your walk often means stepping outside your comfort zone. Pat shared his recent journey of quitting nicotine and losing significant weight – a period of extreme discomfort leading to profound positive change. Matt emphasized that if your life were a movie, you wouldn’t want to watch one devoid of struggle; discomfort is where growth and interesting stories are born. My own example of always scanning for the next challenge in life, often pushing into failure, has become my norm; the relentless pursuit of evolution with the additional satisfaction of gaining it in the suck.
7. Consistency and Time – The Unseen Grind
True “walking the walk” isn’t about a single heroic act; it’s about consistency over time. As I highlighted with Gordo’s own evolution in the podcast world – moving from a less polished initial presence to a now seasoned pro – it’s the daily grind, often in the shadows without applause, that builds real capability and a body of work. It’s easy to lose sight of this progress when you’re in it, but a looking backwards perspective reveals the power of sustained effort.
8. Legacy – What Trail Are You Breaking?
The conversation touched on legacy. It’s not about worrying about your legacy before doing the work, but understanding that your actions can create a trail. Pat spoke about finding the “best flow” when leading, clearing a path that’s efficient for those following without burning yourself out. Matt emphasized focusing on cultivating your unique gifts; the legacy will then take care of itself. For me, it’s about leaving enough wisdom and value behind that my $2.00 Saturday matinee “life movie” will be worth the price of admission for those who matter most (and that hopefully nobody wants their money back).
Final Thought – It’s Not Walking THE Walk, It’s Walking YOUR Walk
Ultimately, “walking the walk” boils down to aligning your actions with your deepest values, consistently showing up even when it’s hard, embracing your authentic self (quirks and all), and taking responsibility for the impact you have.
It’s about progress, not perfection; about integrity, not image. It’s about understanding, as Chance concluded, that the most important walk is your walk – the unique path you forge, one authentic step at a time.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Listen to the full “Walking the Walk” discussion here: Walk The Walk
Stay authentic,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
