OTA's Staff Picks their Favorite TED Talks
What makes a great leader? How can I find happiness? How does leaning into the discomfort of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure open the door to a variety of experiences? These TED Talks which address these questions are some of the OTA’s staff favorites. Enjoy!
Mike Richardson, President
I used this all over the country/world to debrief from doing the Marshmallow Challenge task team exercise with groups of CEOs and Executives probably more than 200 times! It essentially illustrates the difference between Agile Project Management (the approach which Kids take) and Waterfall Project Management (the approach which MBAs/Adults take) and it never failed in the task team exercises I did, ever! Indeed, that’s the task-team exercise I did with the OTA team when I first got involved.
https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_build_a_tower#t-4244
Steve Suminski, Instructor
Not only is this my favorite, but it is TOTALLY in line with the spirit of learning something new. You have to watch it to the end. What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's | Lisa Genova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0
Here’s my second favorite one. It’s about dealing with failure. Likewise, relevant to our business. Perceptions of Perfection | Joey Harrington | TEDxPortland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huOxk-UhOz0
Ed Ponsi, Instructor
“How Algorithms Shape Our World” by Ted Slavin. In this fast-paced, funny presentation, Slavin explains how trading algorithms influence everything from the markets to the movies we decide to watch.
https://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_slavin_how_algorithms_shape_our_world?language=en
Todd Davis, Instructor
Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage. We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.
https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work
Simon Sinek, The Why. Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership -- starting with a golden circle and the question: "Why?" His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Wright brothers ...
https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
Deanne Brown, Success, Culture & Communications Coordinator
Are schools killing creativity? Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. I find Ken Robinson to be a profound influencer of our time. As a homeshooler, I believe Robinson is onto something. I hope the world is listening.
Leanne Smith, Education Administrator Global Territories
I love this! My favorite TED Talk is from Amy Cuddy and the Power of Body Language (Power Posing):
https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are/transcript?language=en
Jonathan Ross, Marketing Support Manager
I really like How to get your ideas to spread by Seth Godin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIVlM435Zg
Diana Hill, Director of Real Estate Education
I love Brene’ Brown and her studies on human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o
Ryan Herron, CliK Specialist
This talk started a journey that, literally, saved my life. I was on my deathbed, but I followed the advice and now I am just about normal. Dr Joe Dispenza- TED Talks with Dr Joe Dispenza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W81CHn4l4AM
Maheen Zaidi, Front End Developer
Hey! Here’s one of my all-time favorites!
https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
Joyce Owens, Instructor Trainee
My favorite Ted Talk is "Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator"
Sean Mar, Student Support Specialist, Irvine
https://www.ted.com/talks/apollo_robbins_the_art_of_misdirection
Drew Cartwright, Senior Director of Training and Development
My personal favorite Ted Talk is “The power of vulnerability by Brené Brown.” She discusses how leaning into the discomfort of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure can actually open the door to a variety of experiences. Those who are reluctant to exposing vulnerability might miss out on, such as love, belonging, trust, joy, and creativity. Her talk will help!
John O’Donnell, Research Director
Here is one my favorite Ted Talk. Simon Sinek - Start With Why - TED Talk Short Edited
Eyal Marmareli, Chief Technology Officer
I’m a big fan of Ted talks. Here are a few I like most:
We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.
https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can boost feelings of confidence and might have an impact on our chances for success.
https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are
Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Here's Julian Treasure to help. In this useful talk, the sound expert demonstrates the how-to's of powerful speaking -- from some handy vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. A talk that might help the world sound more beautiful.
https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_how_to_speak_so_that_people_want_to_listen
What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.
Nick Plunkett, Education Counselor & PTW Presenter Irvine
This is one of my favorite Ted Talks! How to stop screwing yourself over by Mel Robbins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp7E973zozc
Ron Lembo, Student Support Specialist & Instructor, Scottsdale
Here is one that I like. Beautiful minds are free from fear: Robert Grant at TEDxOrangeCoast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XDpa2HLXV0
Sean Doyle, Instructor
Sir Ken Robinson Changing Education Paradigms
https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms