TED Business

Molly Graham, a dynamic company and community builder, emphasizes the importance of risk-taking in career growth. She challenges the traditional corporate ladder, advocating for embracing vulnerability and exploring unconventional paths. Molly shares three key skills to cultivate confidence and foster healthy professional relationships. Additionally, Modupe reflects on her transition from consulting to academia, highlighting the crucial role of mentorship in her journey. This conversation inspires listeners to redefine success and embrace their unique journeys.

Lawrence Bernstein, a communication expert, shares invaluable tips on overcoming public speaking nerves by fostering genuine connections with your audience. He introduces the 'coffee shop test,' encouraging speakers to treat presentations like casual conversations. Bernstein emphasizes the power of storytelling to simplify complex ideas, making them relatable. Modupe complements this with the 'Grandma test,' illustrating how this approachable mindset can enhance clarity and engagement in communication, whether on stage or in everyday life.

June Sarpong, a veteran broadcaster and fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, discusses the need for leaders to embrace discomfort in order to champion inclusion. She emphasizes that true progress requires bold disruptors willing to challenge the status quo. Sarpong also highlights the importance of trust in leadership and the transformative conversations that pave the way for meaningful change. Additionally, effective strategies for enhancing representation in the workplace are reviewed, particularly for women and people of color.

Neeraj Aggarwal, a business strategy expert, discusses the transformative influence of Asia on global culture and economy. He emphasizes how K-pop and other cultural exports are redefining perceptions and sparking innovation. Topics include Asia's economic rise, the booming fintech sector, and the shift in income distribution that fosters entrepreneurship. Additionally, Modupe draws parallels between cultural exchanges in Asia and the global spread of African culture, highlighting the significance of embracing these changes for future development.

Shreya Joshi, a youth leader and founder of Project Teal, emphasizes the significance of having difficult conversations with those who disagree with us. She argues that recognizing common ground can facilitate productive discussions about divisive issues like race and gender. Joshi also shares insights on the negative impacts of clustering with like-minded individuals and offers transformative communication strategies to navigate conflicts. With personal experiences in debate and education, she inspires listeners to embrace diverse perspectives and foster empathy.

In this engaging discussion, social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar provides invaluable insights on personal branding. He emphasizes that everyone has a personal brand that they can shape. Marcos outlines five key steps to create an authentic brand that reflects personal values and aspirations. He tackles the challenges of self-promotion and highlights the importance of defining clear goals and establishing a strong online presence. Additionally, he offers tips on curating a balanced and authentic online identity through social media.

Joon Silverstein, founder of Coachtopia, is pioneering a shift in the fashion industry by advocating for a circular fashion system that repurposes waste into new designs. She discusses the massive environmental impact of fashion waste and challenges the conventional notions of luxury. Joon’s approach not only reduces the reliance on new raw materials but also aims to redefine what we consider valuable in clothing. The conversation encourages innovation in sustainability and calls for a major rethink of corporate practices around waste management.

Dave Raggio, Vice President at Intuit, shares his insights on navigating innovation within large organizations. He emphasizes the importance of asking simple questions and learning from mistakes to foster a fearless mindset. Raggio recounts his accidental journey into entrepreneurship while working on QuickBooks, detailing the challenges and lessons learned. He also discusses how collaboration and informal connections can enhance workplace innovation, suggesting creative strategies like communal boards to promote communication and idea-sharing.

In this insightful discussion, Gaya Herrington, an environmentalist and economist, challenges the notion of endless economic growth. She advocates for reimagining our economy to prioritize well-being and sustainability over mere growth. Herrington explores the paradox of growth, its detrimental impacts on society and the environment, and proposes cooperative models that empower communities. By shifting our focus to 'enough for each,' she inspires a vision for a more equitable and sustainable future, asking whether we can achieve this transformation by design rather than disaster.

Azim Shariff, a social psychologist focusing on morality and work, challenges the belief that hard work equates to moral goodness. He discusses how this perception can harm personal and professional lives, promoting a mindset shift towards meaningful productivity. Shariff explores cultural attitudes towards effort and output, revealing the psychological implications of 'workism.' He suggests that we should respect colleagues' time and rethink what really defines our moral worth in the workplace.