9 TEDx presentations that completely changed my life

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I'm a big fan of TED. I've walked away with a better understanding of the human psyche, a better business acumen, and some truly astounding takeaways about the future of science and technology.

But just as impressive are the independently organized TEDx presentations, which, while following TED's model, are organized locally, to bring more thought leaders to the stage.

Here are nine of the most important things I've learned from these events over the years:

1. People buy a 'why,' not a 'what'

In one particularly fascinating TEDx presentation, author and consultant Simon Sinek talked about how great leaders inspire action in their teams. To do this, he covered many different areas; but the most significant takeaway, I felt, was the fact that when people buy into something — whether that be a basic product purchase or a team leader's vision — they buy into a "why," not a "what."

In other words, they buy into an abstract idea, and a way of distinguishing themselves. One of Sinek's best examples was Apple's branding, which encourages consumers to "think different" and be independent by buying a computer. They aren't buying a computer for the computer itself; they're buying a computer for the idea behind it.

2. Vulnerability is what makes us human

Brené Brown's talk explored another side of how to reach people — through vulnerability. Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, advised that vulnerability is the expression or admission of thoughts and emotions you wouldn't otherwise reveal.

Society may pressure us, in various ways, to restrain our most powerful and deepest feelings, but if you really want to connect with someone, and get in touch with your humanity on a basic level, you need to find the courage to show that vulnerability.

 

 

3. Happiness makes us productive, and can come only from inside

Okay, part of this should be obvious: A happier worker is a more productive worker, and Shawn Achor, who terms himself a "happiness researcher," made this fact evident.

This is important on both a personal and professional level, as transparency and empathy can help organizations thrive — just as these life skills can do with friendships and other basic relationships.

Thus, if you want to be more productive in your work, you have to strive to be happier, Achor said. But, for many of us, this presents a conundrum, as we're actively working for happiness, striving for more money, a higher position or a better lifestyle. But, happiness, Achor argued, can only come from within: All those extraneous factors you think will make you happy (money, security, fame, etc.) account only for a predictability factor of about 10 percent.

I recommend the 2011 documentary Happy; it explores what makes people happy around the world, and it's quite compelling.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider