Reese Witherspoon, award-winning actress and producer, talks with Adam Grant about building confidence by facing doubts, acknowledging what she doesn't know, and putting women at the center of their stories. They also discuss the challenges of portraying authentic characters, the impact of platforms on storytelling, and turning personal experiences into data for positive change.
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Quick takeaways
Confidence is built through pursuing challenging goals, rather than waiting for confidence to precede action.
Storytelling is a valuable skill that everyone should develop for various purposes, such as marketing and connecting with others.
Deep dives
Reese Witherspoon's Approach to Character Development
Reese Witherspoon discusses her process for getting into character and the importance of unique character traits, regional accents, and physicality. She credits her love of reading and her deep immersion in books as a key influence in developing her expressive and immersive approach to acting. While her process is private and personal, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the character's background, upbringing, and socioeconomic status. She also highlights the importance of spontaneity and listening behavior between actors, and the need to balance professionalism with authenticity.
The Relationship Between Confidence and Pursuing Challenging Goals
Reese Witherspoon shares her insights on the relationship between confidence and pursuing challenging goals. She challenges the common notion that one needs to be confident before pursuing ambitious goals, and instead argues that confidence is built through pursuing challenging goals. She draws from her own experiences of facing fear and self-doubt in roles such as June Carter Cash in 'Walk the Line' and Cheryl Strayed in 'Wild.' She encourages individuals to embrace the fear of regret and push themselves to take the leap, even when they feel uncertain or lacking in confidence.
The Importance of Telling Your Story
Reese Witherspoon discusses the significance of storytelling and the importance of learning how to effectively tell your own story. She emphasizes that storytelling is a skill that everyone needs to develop, whether it's for marketing, raising funds, or simply connecting with others. She encourages individuals to find their unique touchstones and share compelling narratives that resonate with others. Witherspoon also reflects on the impact of personal and pivotal moments that shape our life journeys and how important it is to learn from and articulate these experiences.
The Role of Comparison and Competition in the Creative Industry
Reese Witherspoon reflects on the role of comparison and competition within the creative industry. She acknowledges that comparison can be both beneficial and destructive, emphasizing the value of learning from others and identifying areas for personal growth. Witherspoon highlights the need to approach comparison with a critical mindset, examining the reasons why certain projects or individuals are successful and finding inspiration and motivation from their achievements. She also emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment rather than engaging in a zero-sum competition.
When Reese Witherspoon was in rehearsals for her lead role in the 2005 film Walk the Line, she wanted to quit–every day. But she went on to win the Oscar for her performance as June Carter Cash. Since then, she’s gone from playing iconic roles in films (Legally Blonde, Election, Water for Elephants) to also producing and starring in her own TV shows and movies (Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, Wild). Reese talks to Adam about how she's built confidence by facing her doubts head on, and shares why acknowledging what she doesn’t know has helped her found a company–which was recently acquired for $900 million–that finally puts women at the center of their stories. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG7
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