The 10 best TED Talks for your career
TED Talks are a great source of motivation and education and they’re also a quick and easy way to learn something new in a matter of minutes
There are hundreds out there that can help to inspire you in your career path, but to save you some time finding the best ones, we've done the hard work for you. Here are seven TED Talks that will stimulate your mind and guide you towards the career boost you're looking for.
Shawn Anchor: “The happy secret to better work”
Happiness inspires us to be more productive, explains psychologist Shawn Anchor, who explores the power of positive thinking.
Recommended reading: 5 things you need to be happy at work
Susan Cain: "The power of introverts"
According to Susan Cain, the world needs introverts. Cain, a self-professed “quiet revolutionary,” says she prefers listening to talking and reading to socializing. In this TED Talk she explains why solitude matters and how introverts can showcase their extraordinary talents and abilities.
Recommended reading: How being an introvert can help boost your career.
Amy Cuddy: “Your body language may shape who you are”
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy examines how body language affects not only how others perceive us but also how we see ourselves. She explains how "power posing"—standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident—can help you feel empowered in any setting, whether it be during a job interview or your next performance review.
Recommended reading: Don't let your body language sink your job interview
Angela Lee Duckworth: “Grit: the power of passion and perseverance”
For her contribution to our TED Talks top 10, University of Pennsylvania psychology professor Angela Lee Duckworth shares advice from her research on how self-control and grit impact professional success. Watch it to get a morale boost the next time you’re feeling discouraged at work.
Recommended reading: How to move on after you’ve been rejected for a job
Drew Dudley: “Everyday leadership”
Leadership coach and educator Drew Dudley delivers a captivating and comedic take on how each of us influences (i.e., leads) people every day. It’s required viewing, given that research shows leadership skills are integral to career success.
Recommended reading: Develop leadership skills in any job
Shane Koyczan: “To This Day… for the bullied and beautiful”
Accompanied by live violin, this is one of the most inspirational TED talks out there. Poet and performer Shane Koyczan's treatise on bullying will make you laugh and cry in under 12 minutes.
Recommended reading: What can I do about workplace bullying?
Sarah Lewis: "Embrace the near win"
Art historian Sarah Lewis learned from experience that not every work of art is a masterpiece. It's those almost-failures that offer unparalleled lessons necessary for moving your career ahead.
Recommended reading: How to get through a bad day at work
Kelly McGonigal: "How to make stress your friend"
If you need help combatting job stress, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal can help. McGonigal offers smart techniques on how to embrace stressful moments and use them to your advantage, so you’ll be prepared for the next time you’re staring down a tight deadline or facing a conflict with a co-worker.
Recommended reading: 7 ways to combat work stress
Julian Treasure: "How to speak so that people want to listen"
Among the best TED Talks is this one that explores how to increase your influence over an audience. Want to know how to command a room? Sound expert Julian Treasure demonstrates the how-to's of powerful speaking, from vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. You can implement them at your next work meeting.
Recommended reading: How to speak up at work and get noticed
Tim Urban: “Inside the mind of a master procrastinator”
Have a tendency to procrastinate at work? Tim Urban’s TED Talk can help you shake the habit and get more things done. Be prepared to laugh—Urban, founder of the blog Wait But Why, will take you through his YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes, and bouts of staring out a window to postpone his work.
Recommended reading: 7 ways procrastination could actually help your job hunt