The end of each year providers the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on the twelve months past.
Part of that reflection can include contemplating the lessons we learned during the year and the ways in which we grew from the challenges we faced.
Often, it’s helpful to learn from others’ lessons as well, which is why podcasts, blogs, and online classes are more popular than ever in the age of the internet. Learning from experts and thought leaders helps us to shorten our learning curve and expedite our own growth.
One of the most well-known stages where industry experts can share their insights is via TED Talks. From their website: “TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long.”
Today, we’re rounding up the top 6 TED Talks from 2020 that are centered on the subject of business and leadership.
These powerful, insightful messages are filled with incredible lessons that we can all apply to our personal and professional lives as we seek to continually better ourselves. Click on the title of each talk to be taken directly to its video.
And be sure to check out Part 1 of this series here.
Current View Count: 1.2 million
What’s the purpose of a company? In this bold talk, activist and filmmaker Abigail Disney imagines a world where companies have a moral obligation to place their workers above shareholders, calling on Disney (and all corporations) to offer respect, dignity and a living wage to everyone who works for them.
Current View Count: 987K
Companies worldwide are pledging to play a more meaningful role in the well-being of their employees, customers and the environment. How can they turn their promises into action? From creating a representative boardroom to committing to measurable sustainability goals, business leader Dame Vivian Hunt discusses the necessary changes companies can make to embrace stakeholder capitalism — and shares how it could change business for good.
Current View Count: 779K
In a world of endless reviews and options, it’s easy to become paralyzed by indecision. Investor and writer Patrick McGinnis shares the dangers of “FOBO” — the fear of better options — and how to overcome it.
Current View Count: 761K
Humans have been coming up with ways to give constructive criticism for centuries, but somehow, we’re still pretty terrible at it. Cognitive psychologist LeeAnn Renninger shares a scientifically proven method for giving effective feedback.
Current View Count: 745K
When companies think of diversity and inclusion, they too often focus on meeting metrics instead of building relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, says Starbucks COO Rosalind G. Brewer. In this personable and wide-ranging conversation with TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, Brewer invites leaders to rethink what it takes to create a truly inclusive workplace — and lays out how to bring real, grassroots change to boardrooms and communities alike.
Current View Count: 516K
“You can’t just flip a switch when you step into the office and turn your emotions off. Feeling feelings is part of being human,” says author and illustrator Liz Fosslien. She shares why selective vulnerability is the key to bringing your authentic self to work.
Looking for further online opportunities for professional development and ways to sharpen your leadership skills? Take a look at the Shaping Change Online Learning Center — an online platform where professionals can access training programs, mentorship opportunities, online courses, webinars, and more.