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Watching TED talks has long been an easy and accessible way to learn about a topic or be inspired to think about an issue in a new way — so today we're rounding up 12 of the best TED talks for working women. Most are 5–15 minutes long, so they're easily digestible, and they're a good option if you want to listen to something informational but aren't in the mood for a podcast.
If you want to save even more time, you can listen to the recorded talks at 1.25x speed or even 1.5x speed, if you can tolerate it. Subtitles are available (not autogenerated — meaning they're actually accurate), and if you like, you can skip the videos entirely and read the online transcripts.
Readers, what are some of your favorite TED talks for working women? Which ones do you think about the most, and which have you heard a ton about but haven't yet watched?
The Classic, Best TED Talks for Working Women
Here are 10 TED Talks that are worth a watch:
Sheryl Sandberg, “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders” (2010, 14:42)
This is the talk that came out before Lean In, and I've thought about the talk as well as the book a lot over the years. Here's the summary from TED.com: “Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions — and offers 3 powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the C-suite.”
(Here's our original discussion on the talk, as well as our Lean In discussion.)
Brené Brown, “The Power of Vulnerability” (2010, 20:03)
I've heard amazing things about Brown and her books — and this TED talk is a great place to start because it's only 20 minutes long. Here's the summary from TED.com: “Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.”
Sarah Lewis, “Embrace the Near Win” (2014, 11:28)
Sarah Lewis is the author of The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery (2015), which looks at the meaning of failure in a new way — and this TED talk explores the idea of the “near win.” Here's the summary from TED.com: “At her first museum job, art historian Sarah Lewis noticed something important about an artist she was studying: Not every artwork was a total masterpiece. She asks us to consider the role of the almost-failure, the near win, in our own lives. In our pursuit of success and mastery, is it actually our near wins that push us forward?”
Melinda Briana Epler, “3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace” (2018, 9:29)
Although Melinda Briana Epler works with tech companies on diversity and inclusion issues, her advice on allyship applies anywhere. Here's part of the summary of her talk from TED.com: “We're taught to believe that hard work and dedication will lead to success, but that's not always the case. Gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation are among the many factors that affect our chances … and it's up to each of us to be allies for those who face discrimination. [T]his actionable talk … shares three ways to support people who are underrepresented in the workplace.”
Hanna Rosin, “New Data on the Rise of Women” (2010, 15:56)
I love everything from Hanna Rosin — her writing is always interesting, on point, and thought-provoking. Here's the summary of her talk from TED.com: “Hanna Rosin reviews startling new data that shows women actually surpassing men in several important measures, such as college graduation rates. Do these trends, both U.S.-centric and global, signal the ‘end of men'? Probably not — but they point toward an important societal shift worth deep discussion.”
Anne-Marie Slaughter, “Can We Have It All?“
I've thought often about the career choices she made — and while I tend to think that I'm in the weeds now with two young kids, I often think about how she was turning down amazing career opportunities because her teenagers needed her more.
Description from the page: “Public policy expert Anne-Marie Slaughter made waves with her 2012 article, “Why women still can't have it all.” But really, is this only a question for women? Here Slaughter expands her ideas and explains why shifts in work culture, public policy and social mores can lead to more equality — for men, women, all of us.”
Amy Cuddy, “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are“
I do the power pose sometimes before phone interviews! Description from the page: “Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.”
More Favorite TED Talks for Corporate Women
Amy Webb, “How I Hacked Online Dating“ (2013, 17:14)
Kelly McGonigal, “How To Make Stress Your Friend“ (2013, 14:16)
Janet Stovall, “How to Get Serious About Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace“ (2018, 10:55)
Angela Lee Duckworth, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance“ (2014, 6:00)
Susan Colantuono, “The Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get“ (2014, 13:48)
Reader Favorite TED Talks for Professional Young Women
Roxane Gay, “Confessions of a Bad Feminist” (2015, 11:19)
Julie Lythcott-Haims, “How to Raise Successful Kids — Without Over-Parenting“ (2016, 20:58)
Readers, please share your favorite TED talks! Have you ever spoken at a TEDx event in your city?
Anon
I am travelling and just bought a container of Lush facemask. I was not paying attention and bought a 4 oz container. What are the odds of this making it through security? Do you reckon I can pretend it’s not really a liquid? It’s a very firm paste. Or just stick it in and hope for the best?
Cat
if the cost of the Lush is less than the cost of checking a bag, just go for it, worst that happens is they throw it out.
Bbanon
Hope for the best … but like, even deodorant & chapstick are “liquids” so I don’t think you can pretend otherwise.
Also if you want to be certain, you could divide it between travel containers if you have some accessible to you (even my local grocery store carries them in their pharmacy section for cheap).
Anon
Assuming you are traveling within the US and not internationally it is likely ok.
Anonymous
If it’s a very firm paste, you’re probably OK.