TED Ideas Worth Spreading “TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.”1

 

I learn a lot from the diverse topics discussed on TED.com. The site even helps you focus your learning by providing playlists themed to specific topics. For this post, I decided to compile a playlist of favorites relevant to employee engagement. The Talks are listing in alphabetical order by speaker.

 

 

 

Speaker: Shawn Achor
TEDxBloomington : The Happy Secret to Better Work
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work
Date Filmed: May 2011
Time: 12:20

Comment: “We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity.”2

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Dan Ariely
TEDxRiodelaPlata: What makes us feel good about our work?
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_what_makes_us_feel_good_about_our_work
Date Filmed: October 2012
Time: 20:26

Comment: “What motivates us to work? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn’t just money. But it’s not exactly joy either. It seems that most of us thrive by making constant progress and feeling a sense of purpose. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents two eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work.”3

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Susan Cain
TED2012: The Power of Introverts
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts
Date Filmed: February 2012
Time: 19:04

Comment: “In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.”4

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Amy Cuddy
TEDGlobal 2012: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are
Date Filmed: June 2012
Time: 21:02

Comment: “Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.”5

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Yves Morieux
TEDxBCG San Francisco: As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/yves_morieux_as_work_gets_more_complex_6_rules_to_simplify
Date Filmed: October 2013
Time: 12:01

Comment: “Why do people feel so miserable and disengaged at work? Because today’s businesses are increasingly and dizzyingly complex — and traditional pillars of management are obsolete, says Yves Morieux. So, he says, it falls to individual employees to navigate the rabbit’s warren of interdependencies. In this energetic talk, Morieux offers six rules for “smart simplicity.” (Rule One: Understand what your colleagues actually do.)”6

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Dan Pink
TEDGlobal 2009: The Puzzle of Motivation
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation
Date Filmed: July 2009
Time: 18:36

Comment: “Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don’t: Traditional rewards aren’t always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories — and maybe, a way forward.”7

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Andy Puddicombe
TEDSalon London Fall 2012: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes
Date Filmed: November 2012
Time: 9:24

Comment: “When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Not texting, talking or even thinking? Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Refreshing your mind for 10 minutes a day, simply by being mindful and experiencing the present moment. (No need for incense or sitting in uncomfortable positions.)”8

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Tony Robbins
TED2006: Why We Do What We Do
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_robbins_asks_why_we_do_what_we_do
Date Filmed: February 2006
Time: 21:45
Comment: “Tony Robbins discusses the “invisible forces” that motivate everyone’s actions — and high-fives Al Gore in the front row.”9

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Simon Sinek
TEDx  PugetSound: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
Date Posted: May 2010
Time: 18:04

Comment: “Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers …”10

 

 

 

 

Speaker: Simon Sinek
TED2014: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_why_good_leaders_make_you_feel_safe
Date Posted: May 2014
Time: 11:59

Comment: “What makes a great leader? Management theorist Simon Sinek suggests, it’s someone who makes their employees feel secure, who draws staffers into a circle of trust. But creating trust and safety — especially in an uneven economy — means taking on big responsibility.”11

 

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts on the selected TED Talks? What TED Talks relevant to employee engagement would you recommend?

 

 

1 “About |Our Organization.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015. <https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization>.
2 Achor, Shawn. “The Happy Secret to Better Work.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, May 2011.  Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
3 Ariely, Dan. “What Makes Us Feel Good about Our Work?” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Oct. 2012. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
4 Cain, Susan. “The Power of Introverts.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Feb. 2012. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
5  Cuddy, Amy. “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC. Jun. 2012. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
6 Morieux, Yves. “As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Oct. 2013. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
7 Pink, Dan. “The Puzzle of Motivation.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, June 2009. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
8 Puddicombe, Andy. “All it takes is 10 mindful minutes.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Nov. 2012. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
9 Robbins, Tony. “Why We Do What We Do.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, Feb. 2006. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
10  Sinek, Simon. “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, May 2010. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
11 Sinek, Simon. “Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe.” TED. TED Conferences, LLC, May 2014. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.

 

 

 

Let’s Engage!

I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory F Simpson.

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I'm Simpson....Gregory F Simpson, Agent in EngagementYou can follow me @agtinengagement.
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