10 of My Favourite TED Talks to Inspire Women in Business

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Women giving speech

If you haven’t heard of Ted Talks yet, then I am so glad to be introducing you to them!

TED Talks present some of the most successful leaders in the world; well-educated champions in their field. And you get to hear their wisdom as they impart lessons they have learned with the world.

Below I have compiled a list of some of my favourite Ted Talks. Some of which I have listened to many times because they are impactful, inspiring, entertaining and motivational.

If You don’t Understand People, You don’t Understand Business – Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek ted talk quote

To start off I give you Simon Sinek. A powerful and engaging speaker who has also written many books. He is a man of conviction and is interested in bettering humanity. His message is clear, intelligent, and simple. His main message in this particular talk (one of many) is about creating a community with a group of people who believe what we believe.

Check out his podcast: If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business

To Reach Beyond your Limits by Training Your Mind – Marisa Peer

Marisa Peer explains in beautifully plain language the power our minds have over our success. While many people may talk about your mindset, Marisa has made it seem so simple it leaves you wondering how you let your mind get in the way in the first place. Of course, it isn’t that simple as we have experienced.

Marisa shares four pieces of advice about building a mindset for success:

Marisa peer ted talk quote

1) Your mind does exactly what it thinks you want it to do.
2) Your mind is hardwired to move you toward pleasure and away from pain.
3) The way you feel about everything is down to the pictures you make in your head and the words you say in your head.
4) Your mind loves what is familiar.

Check out her podcast: To reach beyond your limits by training your mind

You’ll Never Look at a Bra the Same Way Again – Laura Tempesta

Laura tempesta ted talk quote

We move now into a fascinating talk from the world’s expert on bras. And while the women’s movement burned the bra many years ago, this talk twists its way beautifully into what the bra represents. A bra needs to be pretty and supportive – a metaphor for what the world expects of us as women.

Check out her podcast: You’ll never look at a bra the same way again

Dangerous Times Call for Dangerous Women – Pat Mitchell

Pat Mitchell ted talk quote

Pat Mitchell absolutely inspired me with this talk. The first time I listened to it was coincidentally after talking with some older women who were feeling that the world was telling them that they were “too old” to start a business. I have never heard anything so ridiculous, but it hurt nonetheless. 

Then Pat came to me at just the right time. A powerhouse of a woman who was 76 at the time! Ladies – we are never too old!

She’s a dangerous women.  Not dangerous as in feared, but fearless; a force to be reckoned with.

Check out her podcast: Dangerous times call for dangerous women

My Year of Saying Yes to Everything – Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes ted talk quote

As a huge fan of Shonda Rhimes work – yes I did watch every season of Grey’s Anatomy again during the lockdown – this Ted Talk brought tears to my eyes.  As a mother, it was a beacon of light for me. I decided to take her advice and also start saying yes – and she was right. 

It made a huge difference.

Check out her podcast: My year of saying yes to everything

Why do Ambitious Women Have Flat Heads – Dame Stephanie Shirley

Dame Stephanie Shirley ted talk

If ever you feel like things are hard and you want to give up, listen to Dame Stephanie Shirley. What an inspiration for us all – and a brilliant sense of humour to boot. She has faced more than most and stands for what we at Fempire strive for – success for women.

Check out her podcast: Why do ambitious women have flat heads

It’s Time for Women to Run for Office – Halla Tomasdottir

Halla Tomasdottir ted talk

This next speaker is one of my favourites. She is current, she is down to earth, and she doesn’t just talk but actually acts. I admire her greatly for her attitude and the work she is leading through The B Team. Now if only I could pronounce her name…

Check out her podcast: It’s time for women to run for office

Can We Have it All? – Anne Marie Slaughter

Anne Marie Slaughter ted talk quote

On the theme of women in political arena’s, Anne Marie Slaughter shares her personal experience in finding what is most important for her. This is a thought-provoking look at what feminism really means for women AND for men.

Check out her podcast: Can we have it all?

How to Find Yourself – Glennon Doyle

Glennon Doyle ted talk quote

The last woman on my list has written a book. Now while you may not think that is anything extraordinary, this book is! Glennon Doyle bares her soul and as a person who doesn’t cry publicly, taking this book on a recent road trip to read in the car was a mistake. Every chapter had me looking out my window, blinking back tears.  Many times I had to put the book away and put my sunglasses on. Her truth is raw, her truth speaks to every woman, every girl. And she speaks just as she writes.

Check out her podcast: How to Find Yourself

Do Schools Kill Creativity? – Sir Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson ted talk quote

I am finishing this list with a very entertaining speaker on a topic that I feel strongly about – our education system. I have felt that creativity is slowly squeezed out of our children as we try to get them to rote learn more and more information. After all, “if you are not prepared to be wrong you will never come up with anything original?” 

Check out his podcast: Do schools kill creativity?

Let me tell you, this list is not exhaustive. I keep a whole other document with links to Ted Talks I love. And it grows constantly. I hope my recommendations get you to not only question your beliefs. Your thoughts and your actions but that they inspire you! 

I want to you take action, and do what scares you. I want you to join me in being part of the changes we need to make. And TED is a great resource for information and inspiration – it’s about sharing ideas and there are so many to share!

https://youtu.be/wPW9cneRKTs


Do you have any TED Talk recommendations? Share your ideas with us – on social media, by email, or in the comments below xox

And don’t forget to check out some of our other great articles!

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