8 TED TALKS OFFERING ENTREPRENEURIAL INSIGHTS AND USEFUL PRACTICAL LESSONS

September 5, 2017
9:31 am

TED is considered a wonderful platform for people to share creative ideas and pose thought-provoking questions. Below are 8 TED talks worth watching to deepen your entrepreneurial insight and learn practical lessons shared.

TED is considered a wonderful platform for people to share creative ideas and pose important, thought-provoking questions. I have expanded my understanding through stories shared by master storytellers, and sometimes discovered tips whose importance I had not even realized. The following eight TED talks can offer useful lessons for entrepreneurs.

8 SECRETS TO SUCCESS

https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success In just three short minutes, seasoned analyst Richard St. John succinctly identified the roots of success. St. John's secrets may not be a magical formula for easy success, but they offer a set of standardized principles shared by successful people. They may be difficult to put into practice, yet can also be surprisingly simple. A powerful tool.

THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON ENTREPRENEURS SUCCEED

https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gross_the_single_biggest_reason_why_startups_succeed?language=en Bill Gross began with a simple question: Why do some entrepreneurs succeed while others fail? He collected and analyzed data from hundreds of companies and discovered an unexpected factor tied to startup success.

HOW GREAT LEADERS INSPIRE

http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action Simon Sinek uses historical lessons to illustrate a simple model showing how inspirational leadership powerfully affects others. Through good and bad examples in his talk, he explores why starting with “Why?” is so important for a true leader.

BATHING WITHOUT WATER

https://www.ted.com/talks/ludwick_marishane_a_bath_without_water Think you cannot learn anything valuable from a student? Think again. Ludwick Marishane explained how he developed an innovative solution to a problem many of us may never face: water scarcity. Marishane was named Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011 for his “Dry Bath” idea, a lotion that replaces your entire bathroom. This talk demonstrates creativity in the face of challenges.

AN UNTOLD STORY OF DAVID AND GOLIATH

http://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_the_unheard_story_of_david_and_goliath Writer Malcolm Gladwell studied the classic confrontation between David and Goliath, making it the central theme for explaining our fundamental misunderstandings of both figures and the meaning behind this biblical story. In a thought-provoking presentation, Gladwell makes us reconsider relative power and how it affects our behavior and relationships.

WANT TO HELP SOMEONE? BE QUIET AND LISTEN!

http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen In a talk that may make us reconsider both our personal and professional relationships, renowned economic development expert Ernesto Sirolli advocates a seemingly simple solution to problems we often face. If you are dissatisfied with your efforts to help others, Sirolli's revelations may astonish you. Sometimes you can help more by restraining your impulse to provide direct assistance.

WHERE GREAT IDEAS BEGIN

http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from?language=en In his talk, writer Steven Johnson tries to dispel a long-standing popular myth. Although we may believe in a mysterious concept of inspiration, we should not expect it to become the solution to problems. Solutions are usually the result of work, preparation, and a network of interconnected ideas. It is this accumulation of knowledge and insight that we call “inspiration.”

A STORY ABOUT CREATIVITY AND PLAY

https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play?language=en Designer Tim Brown emphasizes that we must do things unconventionally. Set aside preconceptions about play and develop deliberate practices that nurture creativity and innovation. It turns out that play itself can be quite important: the relationship between creativity and play teaches us much about the limits we impose on ourselves. Every time I watch a good TED talk, I am struck by the intrinsic power of skillful storytelling. We can all draw useful stories and learn from the people who share them. If you learn nothing from a TED talk, I encourage you to revisit how the speaker weaves their story to engage the audience. Tell your story in your own unique style, and you will learn the secret to keeping your audience humming along to your hook.

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