TED is a global non-profit organisation founded in 1984, whose mission is epitomised in their slogan “Ideas worth spreading”. They run a number of conferences which bring together speakers from a range of disciplines, including technology, education and design. Since 2006, many of these talks have been made available for free viewing online.
Today, TED regularly host conferences and events around the world, and created the TED Fellows programme, an initiative that helps innovative individuals become part of the TED community and share their inspiring projects or events with the world. They also launched the TED prize, an annual award worth $1 million that is given to an exceptional individual to help them finance their projects. Past award-winners have tackled issues such as poverty, climate change and education.
In the first part of our new blog series, we’ve rounded up a selection of great TED videos that we hope will provide you with lots of inspiration and expert insight.
Angela Lee Duckworth: The key to success? Grit
Angela Lee Duckworth, a former management consultant, maths teacher and now an assistant psychology professor, shows how grit and determination are better indicators of success than factors such as IQ or family income.
Eddie Obeng: Smart failure for a fast-changing world
Eddie Obeng runs his own online business school, and teaches a theory of management that focuses on adapting to change. His funny and informative speech covers the culture of what Obeng dubs “smart failure”, and how to manage one’s creative input and productivity in order to keep pace with an ever-changing world.
Margaret Heffernan: Dare to disagree
Margaret Heffernan, a former CEO to five different businesses, delivers an inspiring talk that illustrates the positive benefits of disagreements in the workplace. She explains how constructive conflict can actually lead to a team that integrates better, thinks together and provides valuable feedback.
Susan Cain: The power of introverts
Susan Cain, author of the bestselling “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, discusses the positive attributes of introverts, particularly in the areas of creativity and leadership. Whilst the outgoing qualities of extroverts are constantly praised, Cain illustrates how introverts bring equally valuable qualities to the work environment.
Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work
Psychologist and SEO Shawn Achor presents a hilarious and thought-provoking talk covering the subject of positive psychology. Achor argues that happiness inspires productivity, in direct contradiction to the general mindset where people think that by working harder, they will become more successful, which will then lead to happiness.
Do you have any inspiring TED talks or entrepreneur resources we should know about? Let us know in the comments section below.