This Week’s Must-Read:
5 TED Talks by Powerful Women Leaders That Inspire and Motivate
Who it’s for:
Any woman facing any kind of business challenge.
Why it’s important:
It is important to listen to women who have succeeded in their respective fields, whether it’s sports, academia, art, or science. They can offer insight and education that are relevant to many business challenges. There are so few mentors for women striving to rise into business leadership, and those with mentors are more likely to succeed at the levels they desire. So, listening to women you may not know personally but who have sage advice should be a part of your strategy for connecting to authentic role models. I’ve never met Oprah and most likely never will, but her authentic messages have been instrumental when I’ve been at a crossroads.
So, skip a few of your favorite podcasts, and prioritize listening to these 5 women and their profound messages.
- Overcoming Obstacles, Diana Nyad: Diana is famous for swimming from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64 - on her fifth attempt. Do I really need to say any more? In this talk, she shares the power of never abandoning your dreams when you’re faced with even the most daunting setbacks. She also inspires you with the message that it’s never too late to try something.
- Confronting Vulnerability, Brene’ Brown: Every woman in business faces the feelings of vulnerability at some point. You know, those moments when you question your skills, expertise and even intelligence. Why do we feel like this and what can be done about it? Brene’ Brown is your go-to expert in this area. In this TED Talk, she shares how vulnerability can be the key to happiness and creativity.
- Asking for Help: Do you often feel like you’re pre-programmed to never ask for help? Singer and songwriter Amanda Palmer tells her unconventional story and the amazing results she saw when she learned the art of asking for help.
- Dealing with Rejection: You can’t escape rejection and criticism in business, but you can change how you react to it. Negative feedback can be powerful – if we know how to use it. Therapist Marisa Peer offers five strategies for how to derive value from negative comments.
- Celebrating the Process: In business, the journey is often better than achieving the goal because of what you learn along the way. Art historian Sarah Lewis uses her expertise to unveil how near-failures and near-wins are the magic that lead to greater achievement.
Top Take-Away/Final Thought: Think a little outside the box on how you define your mentors, and take advantage of the wisdom and insights from women sharing deeply and authentically – even if you don’t know them.
Want additional reading that supports the messages of these Ted Talks? Enjoy!:
3 Myths About Confidence That Stop Women from Being Heard