5 TED Talks that Changed Me
Some of the best advice I can give isn’t mine.
Why?
We’re always ready to tell someone about a new song, book, or movie that affects us, but few of those things transfer to others with the same spark and candor as the short speech. The speech is a delicate and complex art. The beauty of it birthed in complexity when it is short and constrained. A little Woodrow Wilson for reference:
“If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.”
— Woodrow Wilson
Like poetic structure, this limitation forces us to pre-process and distill the essence of life changing messages. Messages I’d love to share with you now.
Takeaway: Start with “Why?”
Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Length: 17:57
Much like this blog post, it’s amazing to ask “Why?” first. Simon is a fantastic speaker. Probably my favorite. Be sure to watch his 99u video if you love this one. Many of you have heard of the Golden Circle, but if not you’re in for a treat.
Takeaway: Always See the Framing
Rory Sutherland: Perspective is Everything
Length: 18:16
One of the most important talents I’ve cultivated in the past 6 years, is the concept and strengthening of frame; both on myself and endeavors I undertake. Rory really clarifies this concept in a way that changes you.
Takeaway: Leaders need a Great First Follower
Derek Sivers: How to Start a Movement
Length: 3:02
Such a powerful, funny, and important message, delivered in record time. This is key for leaders to identify. It’s helped me be a better leader.
Takeaway: Motivation for Creative Tasks is Different
Daniel Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation
Length: 18:32
I work remote in a creative task job, as I’ve mentioned in posts before. It was like someone finally turned on the light, when I saw Dan Pink’s video. Creative tasking is a new and wildly different art.
Takeaway: WOW! … just wow.
Benjamin Zander: The Transformative Power of Classical Music
Length: 20:39
This one is a journey. Sometimes you see a person, and you think, “I like this person. I have so much to learn from them.” That’s how I feel seeing Benjamin Zander speaking. He glides over beautiful turns of phrase like “Reduce the impulse”, and friendly stories that everyone. His passion flows from his speech like his music. EVERY TIME, I watch this, I realize there so much more I should have noticed.
I don’t have the words to describe what this does. But I don’t need those words to share it with you.
Special thanks to Mike Grabowski who suggested I write this blog post!
About Gant
Gant Laborde is Chief Technology Strategist at Infinite Red (⚙ web and mobile app dev ⚙), published author, adjunct professor, public speaker, and mad-scientist in training. Read the writings of Gant and his co-workers in our Red Shift publication. If you’re looking to discuss nerdy tech, he’s all ears. If you’ve got a conference tech, he’s happy to present.
View half-witty, half-groan technical tweets with @GantLaborde on Twitter, and follow him on Medium and GitHub.
