Effective leadership requires intense motivation. And motivation wanes for everyone. Burnout, losing sight of a project’s “Why?”, and energy-draining obstacles can push anyone to a low point.
Luckily, hearing from fellow leaders who’ve been there might provide just the inspiration you need to keep pursuing your professional goals.
Entrepreneurs, changemakers, and dreamers: pop in your earbuds. Thanks to TED Talks — short-form educational speeches from subject-matter experts — you can find inspiration in 18 minutes or less. We’ll explore 12 of the best TED Talks on leadership.
12 of the best TED Talks on leadership
As a leader, you might feel like you must have all the answers and sufficient belief in a mission to always stay positive. But you also need to learn to collaborate, have rewarding conversations, and fuel your motivators.
TED Talks are an excellent resource for this personal growth. You can learn from fellow leaders who’ve been in your situation. And the captivating style of these talks has the power to shift your thinking (and maybe even your mood) in just a few minutes.
The following 12 TED Talks present inspiring leadership lessons anyone can benefit from, especially someone feeling stuck in their role.
1. How Great Leaders Inspire Action, by Simon Sinek
With almost 63 million views on TED’s platform alone, this prolific leadership talk from author Simon Sinek has been a significant source of inspiration for many. Simon breaks down why certain figures go further than the rest, even if their motivations, circumstances, and resources are similar to others’. He describes this phenomenon as “The Golden Circle,” at the center of which is the “Why?” that drives successful leaders.
Simon maintains that inspired leaders, from Martin Luther King to the team at Apple, encourage others to believe in their “Why?” before their “What?”, starting from the heart instead of rational facts. Any leader questioning their purpose will feel invigorated by this inspiring talk that’s spurred tens of millions to see the world differently.
2. Lead Like the Great Conductors, by Itay Talgam
Orchestra conductor Itay Talgam knows a thing or two about leading a group and keeping them in rhythm — transforming mere sounds into symphonies. In his famous TED Talk, Itay provides a unique perspective from the creative world for business-minded leaders and vision-driven entrepreneurs.
Itay runs through different conducting styles and invites the audience to participate in the talk. The take-home message is that no two great leaders are the same, but all devise creative ways to bring out others’ talents. This lecture is an enjoyable piece that’ll inspire anyone, from a professor to a CEO, to think like a conductor.
3. 10 Ways to Have a Brilliant Conversation, by Celeste Headlee
Writer and radio host Celeste Headlee has a wealth of experience interviewing others, making her an expert conversationalist. In her TED Talk, Celeste tackles the notion of avoiding honest conversations for fear of an argument.
As someone who’s spoken to people she disagrees with in her career, Celeste has 10 valuable pieces of advice to help leaders have a conversation with anyone, even if the discussion turns difficult.
With points like admitting when you don’t know something, avoiding pontification, and practicing active listening, Celeste encourages leaders to be open-minded, brief, and engaged. This talk is a worthwhile listen for anyone who hopes to have better conversations and leaders who want tips for navigating tense moments.
4. Everyday Leadership, by Drew Dudley
Leadership speaker and author Drew Dudley shares his wisdom in this six-minute TED Talk that invites the audience to consider the lives they change daily. With a sharp sense of humor, Drew reminds listeners that you don’t always catch when you’re influencing others. He uses a charming anecdote about a woman whose life he changed without knowing it to prove the point that those that do little things to brighten a day, or even just to get a laugh, could spur a major shift for someone else.
This light-hearted talk is a must-listen for leaders lost in the big picture. Drew brings home the grounding point that great leadership comprises small everyday acts.
5. How to Start a Movement, by Derek Sivers
This three-minute TED Talk has racked up over 10 million views on the organization’s site, capturing the audience right off the bat with a quirky video. Derek Sivers narrates a scene where one person in a crowd starts a silly dance and, before long, others follow suit.
The take-home point? One person can start a movement, but as Derek says, they must have “the guts to stand out and be ridiculed” and perform an act others can easily copy.
In the video, that leader may be one brave dancer, and the act, a bit of arm movement, but that gesture becomes a figurative movement, too. It’s replicable and enticing enough for others to join in.
This talk is perfect for a leader who needs a three-minute pep-talk, laugh, and food for thought for the day ahead.
6. Dare to Disagree, by Margaret Heffernan
In this talk, writer and former five-time CEO Margaret Heffernan reminds the audience of the power of disagreeing. Conflict can help leaders grow by learning from others and defending an opinion.
Using the example of an early researcher of cancer in women, Dr. Alice Stewart, and a research partner who countered the doctor’s ideas, Margaret makes the point that echo chambers have less to teach leaders than allowing others to challenge their ideas. At one point in the talk, Margaret even refers to constructive conflict as thinking.
This discussion reminds leaders to trust their knowledge but allow others to talk — a balance that promotes diversity of opinions and growth.
7. The Puzzle of Motivation, by Dan Pink
Even the best leaders need the motivation to overcome low moments at work. But this TED Talk, with tens of millions of views from bestselling author and career analyst Dan Pink, reminds audiences of the importance of inspiring others as well.
Dan argues that sometimes reward-based motivation does more harm than good. If-then tasks may encourage people to get the job done because the objective is finite. But creative work? He argues that autonomy and purpose motivate more than material rewards, and he brings several studies to the table to prove it.
This talk is excellent for leaders who want to help others thrive. A rising tide lifts all boats, and organizations full of empowered, self-motivated people, are healthy to the core.
8. So We Leaned In….Now What?, by Cheryl Sandberg
In this interview-style TED Talk, former Meta COO Cheryl Sandberg discusses being nervous to speak openly about women leaders. She touches on feeling insecure, being a mother, and sensing she didn’t belong.
Unlike many of TED’s polished talks, this conversation is raw and unscripted. It’s the ultimate reminder that even high-ranking leaders of big-name brands struggle with self-doubt, the pressures of family life, and emotional reactions (yes, even in the workplace). Any leader dealing with these trials will find themselves in good company.
9. How to Manage for Collective Creativity, by Linda Hill
Business professor Linda Hill, who studies creativity, allows the audience to dream — collectively. Linda believes that creative ideas have great worth and drive some of the world’s most successful companies, especially when everyone can weigh in. She highlights the importance of innovation in a team, positing that one person’s ideas only expand when complemented by those of the group.
Peers have genius to share, and Linda is all about tapping into it. Great leaders understand that employees have game-changing ideas and recognize them. This talk has hard-hitting points for leaders who need to refocus on the power of community and collaboration and its potential for innovation.
10. What it Takes to be a Great Leader, by Roselinde Torres
Leadership expert Roselinde Torres suggests that most companies don’t give employees the skills to lead. Citing cases of talented leaders who failed and caused adverse consequences for a business, Roselinde shows the audience how she arrived at her driving questions: Why do some leadership training programs fail, and what are the ones that are doing it right?
Roselinde believes that leaders who constantly learn from others and read about trends that affect them and their peers succeed. She also advocates for a diverse range of leaders within a workplace, as minds that think differently generate distinct routes toward the same goals. She takes the talk home with advice on being brave enough to let go of what’s not working.
This TED talk is a must-stream for leaders who feel they’re stagnating and want to continue to grow.
11. Authentic Leadership for the Future, by Irving Washington
Irving Washington III, the executive director of the Online News Association, relays an important message to leaders: their feelings count. Irving points out that the traits many usually associate with leaders aren’t actually core values. Instead, Irving argues, leaders should be vulnerable and bring their Whole Selves to work.
Anyone can find themselves a fake-it-’til-you-make-it role and feel like a failure. For context, he shares a personal story of his experience as the executive director of a massive digital journalism organization — which was one of the worst times in his career due to stress and exhaustion.
This is the ideal listen for any entrepreneur or manager who feels like an imposter despite their experience and credentials or who needs a reminder that leaders are human, too.
12. As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify, by Yves Morieux
Consultant Yves Morieux felt concerned by greatly reduced engagement levels in the global workplace. He set out to understand it, and in this TED Talk, he explains his findings.
Yves’s theory is that companies tend to over-complicate. Any time a business takes on a new requirement, it adds a slew of new processes to support it. Businesses become ever-expanding matrices of roles and responsibilities, and with employees maintaining focus on their assignments, they forget to collaborate.
Cooperation, Yves argues, saves time and resources, and he gives the audience tips on helping coworkers work together and understand one another’s roles.
This talk is jam-packed with information, making it a valuable resource for leaders who want to spark engagement, encourage collaboration, and improve the human side of the workplace.
The secret to becoming a better leader? Keep learning
In the 21st century, there are so many ways to learn. You can gain valuable lessons from podcasts, video content like the best TED Talks on leadership, and good old-fashioned impactful reads. Squeeze some extra learning into the day with these resources and continue growing.
In just the 12 talks shared here, there’s enough advice to incite important changes. Learn to sharpen leadership qualities, stay positive and insightful even in a proverbial storm, and appreciate others’ contributions and differences. Then, continue to explore with TED’s library of talks on becoming a great leader.
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