TED Talks Daily Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks | Molly Graham (re-release)
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Sep 27, 2025 
Molly Graham, a company builder and community developer, urges us to rethink career success by embracing risk. She emphasizes the limitations of the corporate ladder and shares her own leap at 25 into an uncertain role. Molly recounts the initial struggles she faced and how a key leadership moment transformed her confidence. She discusses discernment between financial fears and genuine risks, championing the value of embracing beginner's ignorance. Ultimately, she encourages us to redefine success and have the courage to explore both sideways and backward career moves.
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The Stairs Are An Illusion
- The traditional career "stairs" promise a clear path but tie worth to title and promotions.
- Molly Graham says modern careers reward risk-taking over steady stair climbing.
From HR To A Risky New Project
- At 25 Molly left HR at Facebook to join a risky, unfamiliar project despite warnings.
- After a brutal nine-month learning curve she gained confidence and new career opportunities.
Jump, But Check Your Financial Safety
- Learn to distinguish fear that signals real risk from fear of failure and act accordingly.
- Treat fear of failure as a cue to leap, but heed financial or survival fears as valid constraints.