Ideas worth spreading

When you shouldn't follow the rules

55,381 views |

Laura Lane |

TED@UPS

• September 2015

As a foreign affairs officer in Rwanda in 1994, 26-year-old Laura Lane rescued more than 250 Americans at the beginning of the genocide, but was forced to desert all of her local allies whose work alongside her nearly guaranteed their death. Every day, she carries the heavy weight of this perceived abandonment, convinced she could have done more. Today, one lesson remains above the rest: sometimes, when the risk of regret is too great, following the rules isn't worth it – and you need to write your own.

As a foreign affairs officer in Rwanda in 1994, 26-year-old Laura Lane rescued more than 250 Americans at the beginning of the genocide, but was forced to desert all of her local allies whose work alongside her nearly guaranteed their death. Every day, she carries the heavy weight of this perceived abandonment, convinced she could have done more. Today, one lesson remains above the rest: sometimes, when the risk of regret is too great, following the rules isn't worth it – and you need to write your own.

About the speaker

Laura Lane

Laura Lane

Foreign affairs expert

From 1990-1997, Laura Lane was a diplomat in the US Foreign Service, stationed at the American Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. She led the evacuation effort of American citizens in April 1994 with the outbreak of civil war. Later, she returned as a political advisor to US forces, providing humanitarian relief to Rwandan refugees. Lane currently serves as president of global public affairs for UPS.

About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

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