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TED Business

412 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★ - 875 ratings

Whatever your business conundrum, there’s a TED Talk for that—whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life. Because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too.

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Episodes

The one question every aspiring leader needs to ask | Constance Hockaday

March 28, 2024 04:00 - 11.3 MB

Artist and TED Fellow Constance Hockaday shares how the captain of a trans-Atlantic community raft taught her how to voice her hopes and desires, inspiring a vision of possibility for the future. The question from the trip that stuck with her changed everything: What does inclusive leadership look like? Hockaday calls for mentors and aspiring leaders everywhere to answer that crucial question to unlock their agency and power. After the talk, Modupe shares a framework for achieving g...

When you inform women, you transform lives | Paige Alexander

March 25, 2024 04:00 - 12.6 MB

Access to information is the key to unlocking human rights for all, says equality champion Paige Alexander. From educating female entrepreneurs on how to launch life-sustaining businesses to murals, billboards and other creative ways of sharing vital resources, Alexander shares how she and her team at the Carter Center connect people to the information they need — when they need it the most. After the talk, Modupe unveils a surprising and often overlooked source of useful informatio...

Improve your career with this habit | Paul Catchlove

March 21, 2024 04:00 - 14.4 MB

Paul Catchlove believes strongly in the power of reflection. Through every career he's held — from priest to opera singer to senior management consultant — he's benefitted from a habit of analyzing his goals, needs and performance. Learn more about how a regular practice of reflection can improve your decision-making, career and relationships. After the talk, Modupe shares actionable ways to incorporate a bit of reflection on the job, every day.

A simple way to inspire your team | David Burkus

March 18, 2024 04:00 - 12.9 MB

Using paychecks, perks and carefully worded mission statements plastered on posters, companies are on a never-ending quest to find what drives morale at work. An underappreciated solution lies in the answer to one simple question, says management researcher David Burkus. With notable examples backed by decades of success, he presents a clear path to inspiring your team — and finding your purpose at work. After the talk, Modupe reveals how she motivates herself.

Work is not your family | Gloria Chan Packer

March 14, 2024 17:00 - 19.4 MB

You may need to hear this (if you haven't already): your job is not your family. While you can develop meaningful relationships with your colleagues, calling work your family can actually breed burnout and be detrimental to your mental and emotional health. Mental wellness educator Gloria Chan Packer walks through the exercises you need to shift your perspective and redraw the boundaries between your work and personal life, so you can feel freer and more empowered. Join Modupe after...

Why businesses need a dreamer's magic and a doer's realism | Beth Viner

March 11, 2024 04:00 - 13.3 MB

At work, the dreamers often get credit for the big ideas, but they can also sometimes seem untethered to reality to the doers, who are trying to ... get things done. It's when these two types of humans work in harmony that business magic happens, says culture strategist Beth Viner. She lays out a practical blueprint for harnessing the dreamer's out-of-the-box thinking and the doer's practicality, showing why it's the key to building, growing and innovating in any relationship or org...

Democracy works — we just need better leaders | Lindiwe Mazibuko

March 04, 2024 05:00 - 14.6 MB

South Africa transitioned to democracy in the 1990s with a visionary constitution, but the promises of that constitution are largely unfulfilled to this day. Public leader Lindiwe Mazibuko explores how poor leadership failed to deliver a better life for the country's citizens — and shares her mission to cultivate a new generation of ethical leaders who can revitalize democracy in South Africa and beyond. After the talk, Modupe shares her hopes for US democracy.

Don't be a jerk to your barista — and other thoughts on frontline work | Adriann Negreros

February 26, 2024 05:00 - 15.7 MB

All jobs, especially those held by frontline workers, should have dignity and the ability to turn into great careers, says change management expert Adriann Negreros. From shift flexibility to ending work on time, he outlines what he calls the "handbook of humanity" — people-centered ideas for change, rooted in empathy — that, when implemented, can redefine the nature of frontline work. After the talk, Modupe shares how she avoids being a jerk — and gives advice on how to give yourse...

A playbook on financing climate solutions | Nili Gilbert and David Blood

February 19, 2024 05:00 - 14.8 MB

Tackling climate change costs a lot of money — and the financial sector is key to getting that money flowing. In a wide-ranging conversation, sustainable investment leaders Nili Gilbert and David Blood discuss where progress is being made on climate solutions, where capital still needs to move faster and why this is an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable growth.

4 ways to have healthy conversations about race | Afrika Afeni Mills

February 12, 2024 05:00 - 12.2 MB

Learning how to have productive conversations about race is a necessary part of the human experience. We’re revisiting a talk by educator Afrika Afeni Mills, who says the best place to start is in the classroom -- because the earlier these skills are taught, the fewer biases there are to unlearn. She shares four actionable lessons to help people overcome their fear and take on these conversations at any age. After the talk, Modupe shares questions to ask ourselves to have more open ...

What if advertising was honest? | Sylvester Chauke

February 05, 2024 05:00 - 12.5 MB

After years of brand building, marketing veteran Sylvester Chauke realized that his industry had sold the world on overconsumption, with devastating consequences. He shares how marketers could instead promote sustainability with "honest ads" that do right by the planet and encourage people to think twice before buying.

What's your leadership language? | Rosita Najmi

January 29, 2024 05:00 - 11 MB

In a globe-trotting career that has spanned corporations, governments, nonprofits and philanthropy, Rosita Najmi has often found herself translating among them. Instead of focusing on leadership style, she makes the case for becoming fluent in the languages of leadership, explaining how it can help you adapt to audiences across industries and collectively achieve your goals. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on being a successful communicator.

The secret perks of driving electric | Cynthia Williams

January 22, 2024 05:00 - 14 MB

Electric vehicles need to be more than just eco-friendly — they have to be more chic, convenient and affordable than their gas-powered alternatives, says sustainability leader Cynthia Williams. She explores what it'll take for an electric revolution to succeed in the US, calling on corporations, policy leaders, investors and more to collaborate in unprecedented ways. After the talk, Modupe shares her own approach to encouraging change that sticks.

How to solve the world's biggest problems | Natalie Cargill

January 15, 2024 05:00 - 16.6 MB

Sometimes the world's biggest issues can seem so intractable that meaningful change feels impossible. But what if the answer has been right in front of us all along? What if the answer is actually throwing money at the problems? In this thought-provoking talk, philanthropic advisor Natalie Cargill shares what might happen if we came together to spend 3.5 trillion dollars on fixing the world. And, yes, she also has a plan for where to get the money from. (Followed by a Q&A with Anna ...

How business can drive solutions to social problems | Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor

January 08, 2024 05:00 - 18.5 MB

Driven by the belief that businesses can — and should — invest in the communities around them, Intercorp founder and philanthropist Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor has built schools, pharmacies and a literal bridge to better serve Peru's growing middle class. In conversation with TED business curator Corey Hajim, he explores the immense possibility behind private-public partnerships — and his conviction that any individual can step up to create change. After the interview, Modupe talks abou...

What does "wealth" mean to you? | Aisha Nyandoro

December 18, 2023 05:00 - 14.9 MB

For people living in poverty, a guaranteed income can mean finally having the space to dream of a comfortable life. Sharing the stories of single moms who participated in a first-of-its-kind program that offered them $1,000 per month with no strings attached, poverty disrupter Aisha Nyandoro calls for us to redefine what it means to be wealthy — putting aside lavish vacations and fancy cars in favor of paid bills and a well-fed family — and to listen when people tell us what they ne...

How to fix fashion and protect the planet | Amy Powney

December 11, 2023 05:00 - 12.2 MB

From the field to your closet, your clothes go on a long journey before they enter your life. Designer Amy Powney explores the fashion industry's brutal impact on the environment and human health, modeling what ethical, planet-friendly clothing can look like — and inviting us all to think beyond the label. After the talk, Modupe dives into a whole category of fashion that we can all do without.

Does more freedom at work mean more fulfillment? | Sarah Aviram

December 04, 2023 05:00 - 14.3 MB

The flexibility to work from anywhere won't necessarily make you love your job, says HR leader Sarah Aviram. Sharing practical wisdom from research conducted while working remotely in 12 different countries, she reveals the real challenges that hybrid work policies can't fix — and shows how to truly thrive at your job no matter where you get it done. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on staying engaged at work.

The secret ingredients of great hospitality | Will Guidara

November 27, 2023 05:00 - 16.1 MB

Restaurateur Will Guidara's life changed when he decided to serve a two-dollar hot dog in his Michelin-rated restaurant, creating a personalized experience for some out-of-town customers craving authentic New York City street food. The move earned such a positive reaction that Guidara began pursuing "unreasonable hospitality" full-time, seeking out ways to create extraordinary experiences and give people more than they expect. In this funny and heartwarming talk, he shares three ste...

Work has changed. Why haven't resumes? | Nicos Marcou

November 20, 2023 05:00 - 12.9 MB

Resumes are a mainstay of the job application process — despite little evidence that they actually help job-seekers or employers get what they want. So why are we still so preoccupied with them? HR leader Nicos Marcou dives into the absurdity of these one-page documents (or can they be two pages?) and offers an update on how companies should think about hiring qualified candidates. After the talk, Modupe shares research on reducing discrimination in the hiring process.

Your 3-step guide to setting better boundaries at work | Nedra Glover Tawwab

November 13, 2023 05:00 - 9.53 MB

Know you should establish clear limits at work but not sure how to do it? Here are a few strategies from relationship therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab that can help you feel more empowered and less overwhelmed, both on and off the job. After the talk, Tawwab joins Modupe for a chat about how to set your own boundaries in the workplace.

How your company can gain a global talent advantage | Johann Daniel Harnoss

November 06, 2023 05:00 - 21.2 MB

If a diverse workforce makes a better company, why don't more businesses hire internationally? Innovation and migration strategist Johann Daniel Harnoss details the advantage of global talent and how to best build the systems and culture to welcome immigrants to your staff. After the talk, leadership expert Tsedal Neeley joins Modupe for a conversation on what successful hiring practices can look like.

How to help employees with disabilities thrive | Tiffany Yu

October 30, 2023 04:00 - 8.15 MB

What can we do to make workplaces more welcoming to people living with disabilities? Representation advocate Tiffany Yu shares three ways that employers can change and tap into every worker's skills and gifts. After the talk, Modupe discusses how she embraces flexibility in her own teaching practice.

5 steps to building a personal brand you feel good about | Marcos Salazar

October 23, 2023 04:00 - 9.74 MB

Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand, says social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar — and you have the power to shape what it is. Here's how you can create a brand that captures who you are, who you'd like to be and how you want to make an impact on the world. This episode is part of the Way We Work, a TED original video series. Then Modupe shares how she’s crafted her own online identity in a way that feels authentic.

Why are we making pizza boxes out of endangered trees? | Nicole Rycroft

October 16, 2023 04:00 - 11.7 MB

If we're going to solve the climate crisis, we need to talk about supply chains, says biodiversity champion and 2023 Audacious Project grantee Nicole Rycroft. Her organization, Canopy, partners with key industry leaders to overhaul their base materials in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Learn more about how they're shifting production of everything from T-shirts to the Harry Potter book series out of the world's ancient and endangered forests — and how solutions for every se...

What the fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to know | Al Gore

October 02, 2023 04:00 - 24.6 MB

In a blistering talk, Nobel Laureate Al Gore looks at the two main obstacles to climate solutions and gives his view of how we might actually solve the environmental crisis in time. You won't want to miss his searing indictment of fossil fuel companies for walking back their climate commitments — and his call for a global rethink of the roles of polluting industries in politics and finance. After the talk, Modupe shares her own hot take on global warming and how it’s impacting every...

Why Meetings Suck and How to Fix Them | WorkLife with Adam Grant

October 01, 2023 04:00 - 30.6 MB

WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective is back! This season, Adam takes a look at how to find meaningful work and how to make jobs more energizing. In this first episode: meetings. Meetings often drain our joy and sap our focus — and meeting overload kills productivity. So why do we have so many of them — and is a better world possible? Adam investigates the science of improving meetings and explores how workplaces are fighting meeting bloat. Availab...

The magic of a creative career | Michael Sheen

September 25, 2023 13:34 - 21.3 MB

The city of Port Talbot in South Wales is known for a few things: a steel mill, a proudly working class population and a passionate commitment to the arts that produced Hollywood superstars Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins. In this sweet, personal talk, actor Michael Sheen shares how he was also able to take advantage of all the city had to offer, why he's worried that a change in approach to arts education means that kids now don't get the same kind of chances -- and the steps he...

The most powerful yet overlooked resource in schools | Heejae Lim

September 18, 2023 04:00 - 12.4 MB

“When teachers and families work together, everyone wins,” says education technology entrepreneur and TED Fellow Heejae Lim. In this episode of TED Business, we’re revisiting a talk that shines a light on an underutilized resource in US public education -- a family's love for their children -- and shows that, with the right tools and tech, schools can remove language barriers, foster meaningful connections and help every student thrive. After the talk, educational tech entrepreneur ...

How to quit your job -- without ruining your career | Gala Jackson

September 11, 2023 04:00 - 10 MB

Stuck in an unfulfilling or stagnant job? To achieve a smooth departure without burning bridges, try this three-step exit strategy from career coach Gala Jackson. She'll help you move on to your next position with courage, confidence and clarity. After the talk, Modupe shares her own experience breaking the news to a former employer.

Uber, and how to fix things when trust is broken | Fixable

September 04, 2023 04:00 - 32.4 MB

Trust issues at work? This week, we’re sharing an episode from Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, that dives deep into trust and how we can cultivate it at work. In this episode, Frances Frei recounts when she was brought in to help Uber with their massive trust breakdown. Using Uber as a case study, she and co-host Anne Morriss explain the three pillars of trust – authenticity, empathy, and logic – and solutions to strengthen each leg when they’re on shaky grou...

A 3-step guide to believing in yourself | Sheryl Lee Ralph

August 28, 2023 04:00 - 18.6 MB

Sheryl Lee Ralph is a force, delivering iconic performances both on stage and screen. But she didn't always know if she'd make it big. In a lively talk sparkling with actionable advice, she shares how her struggles taught her what it takes to believe in herself -- and how we can all find the self-confidence to keep moving forward. After the talk, Modupe shares some tools that you can use to encourage yourself and those around you.

5 steps to fix any problem at work | Anne Morriss

August 21, 2023 04:00 - 14.9 MB

In a practical, playful talk, leadership visionary Anne Morriss reinvents the playbook for how to lead through change -- with a radical, one-week plan to build trust and fix problems by following a step per day. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on how to communicate in a way that empowers others to become problem solvers.

The power of being yourself at work | Deepa Purushothaman Part 2

August 14, 2023 04:00 - 10.2 MB

In our second episode with corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman, she shared how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked. In this continuation of that conversation, Purushothaman shows the importance of bringing your full self to work, and explains how powerful staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder can be. After the interview, Modupe digs into four different w...

The workplace, redefined by women of color | Deepa Purushothaman Part 1

August 07, 2023 04:00 - 15.8 MB

Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member. After the interview, our...

Hidden connections that transcend borders and defy stereotypes | Aparna Bharadwaj

July 31, 2023 04:00 - 14.8 MB

Global consumer strategist Aparna Bharadwaj shares a fascinating glimpse at under-the-radar affinities that transcend cultures and borders -- from the way people snack in China and Saudi Arabia to how people shop for clothes in the US and Russia. "There are patterns where you least expect them," she says -- and paying attention to them just might bring the world a little bit closer. After the talk, Modupe expands on how data can connect people and help us better understand each othe...

The link between stress and creativity | Radio Headspace

July 26, 2023 04:00 - 5.71 MB

How can stress enhance creativity? Are there practical ways to use stress for innovation? Modupe guest hosts the podcast Radio Headspace all week. Every weekday morning, Radio Headspace aims to take a few moments to step out of the internal chatter and external noise. It's a podcast that makes space to pause, reflect, and consider how we can live a life that best reflects our limitless potential. Listen to Radio Headspace wherever you are listening to this.

A socialist perspective on the pursuit of happiness | Aaron Bastani

July 24, 2023 04:00 - 23.1 MB

Several crises are set to define the next century -- but journalist Aaron Bastani believes we have the technological ability to meet our biggest challenges and create unprecedented levels of prosperity for all. He shows how we could get there by ditching capitalism as the world's economic operating system and adopting "universal basic services," where governments would freely provide life essentials like housing, health care, education and transport. After the talk, Modupe shares th...

TikTok's CEO on its future -- and what makes its algorithm different | Shou Chew | TED Tech

July 17, 2023 04:00 - 96.7 MB

TikTok CEO Shou Chew dives into how the trend-setting video app and cultural phenomenon works -- from what distinguishes its algorithm and drives virality to the challenges of content moderation and digital addiction. In a wide-ranging conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, he tells stories about the TikTok creators he loves and digs into thorny issues like data privacy and government manipulation -- as well as speaking personally about his commitment to inspiring creativity ...

The Internet's First Main Character? | The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

July 12, 2023 04:00 - 29.4 MB

There is a fascinating untold story behind one of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world. It's 1999, and sixteen years after its original release, a new Star Wars is finally coming. Fans have been camping out in front of theaters across the country just to be the first to see it. The beloved intergalactic saga is set to debut a slew of brand new characters, one of whom is a revolutionary CGI creation named Jar Jar Binks. Whispers begin to spread about big changes coming ...

Climate action's hidden opportunities for women | Zineb Sqalli

July 10, 2023 04:00 - 15.8 MB

Climate action has historically had a gender-neutral lens, but this lack of intentionality has actually negatively impacted women, says gender and climate researcher Zineb Sqalli. Using real-world, gender-equal programs as examples Sqalli offers solutions for advancing both sustainability and gender equality — at the same time. After the talk, Modupe shares ways organizations can increase gender diversity and promote inclusion.

Does working hard really make you a good person? | Azim Shariff

June 26, 2023 04:00 - 16.9 MB

Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good -- even if they produce little to no results. Social psychologist Azim Shariff analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring work for work's sake. After the talk, Modupe delves deeper into Shariff’s research – and what our focus should actually be on at work.

The rigged test of leadership | Sophie Williams

June 19, 2023 04:00 - 17.5 MB

The glass cliff: an experience of taking on a leadership role only to find that your chances of success have been limited before you've even begun. Equality activist Sophie Williams explores the research-backed reasons behind this workplace phenomenon and how it overwhelmingly affects underrepresented groups, despite a facade of progress and inclusion. Learn more about the biases and behaviors that set people up for failure -- and what can be done to make the path to success in lead...

3 money lessons from infamous scam artists | J Mase III

June 12, 2023 04:00 - 15.7 MB

Scam artists know something about money that you don't -- and artist J Mase III is here to shed some light. He shares examples of infamous scams from Elizabeth Holmes's false medical tech promises to Anna "Delvey" Sorokin's fake trust fund, along with three crucial lessons on how money functions for the wealthy, why it flows in the direction it does and how to start spotting scams in your own life. After the talk, Modupe shares what we can learn from scam artists to overcome imposte...

How to share public money fairly | Maja Bosnic

June 05, 2023 04:00 - 15.7 MB

"We have the right to demand budgets to be equitable, to be fair," says economist Maja Bosnic. And one of the places where public money often falls short is being inclusive of gender and sex, furthering discrimination. Using examples from around the world that already factor gender into public finance decisions, Bosnic shares how budgets that actively account for gender don't just lead to equality -- they're also more efficient and effective. After the talk, Modupe shares simple yet...

A for-profit mindset for nonprofit success | Tolu Oyekan

May 29, 2023 04:00 - 16.3 MB

Can you imagine a world where nonprofits increase their impact and move the needle on the impossible problems they often take on? Looking to bring the urgency of a profit motive to every initiative, inclusive finance promoter Tolu Oyekan shares the mindset that can help any business meet its goals with speed and precision. After the talk, Modupe shares more specific examples of tech that is increasing financial inclusion (and agricultural innovation) across the continent.

How great leaders take on uncertainty | Anjali Sud and Stephanie Mehta

May 22, 2023 04:00 - 27 MB

In a constantly changing world, it's impossible for leaders to provide employees with the assurance they want, says Vimeo CEO Anjali Sud. Her solution: lead with humanity and flexibility. In conversation with veteran journalist Stephanie Mehta, Sud discusses her experience connecting remote employees worldwide, addressing burnout and adapting company practices for the needs of the next generation. After the talk, Modupe shares some tips on embracing the unknown at work -- and practi...

Fixable: Nai’a - "How do I get the attention of a distracted manager?"

May 21, 2023 00:25 - 25.2 MB

Nai’a is a product operations manager at an education technology company that has gone through a major restructuring. With a shifting team and a brand new manager, she struggles to make sure her colleagues recognize the value of her work and what she needs to continue achieving success in her role. Anne and Frances help Nai’a reframe her mindset to be around approaching the situation with curiosity rather than judgment, effectively communicating her needs, and seeing her manager as ...

The benefits of not being a jerk to yourself | Dan Harris

May 15, 2023 04:00 - 36.7 MB

After more than two decades as an anchor for ABC News, Dan Harris had a panic attack on-air . After that, he devoted himself to a life of meditation and mindfulness. But then an anonymous survey of his family, friends and colleagues turned up some brutal feedback -- he was still kind of a jerk. In a wise, funny talk, he shares his years-long quest to improve his relationships with everyone (starting with himself) and explains the science behind loving-kindness meditation, and how it...

Fixable: David - “How do I turn my passion project into my career?”

May 12, 2023 04:00 - 27.1 MB

David and his brother have co-founded a non-profit helping Black youth in Miami… but David still has a full-time job. Wanting to turn his passion project into paid, full-time work, David asks Anne and Frances how he can grow his organization without losing his energy. After, Anne and Frances share strategies for fundraising and approaching non-profit work like an entrepreneur. This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. You can follow Fixable wherev...

Guests

Adam Grant
1 Episode
Barry Schwartz
1 Episode
Jonathan Marks
1 Episode
Simon Sinek
1 Episode