We're here to talk about confidence.
If you're a regular Career Contessa reader, you already know that we love our TED Talks. These "ideas worth spreading" open a huge audience to high-concept ideas and specific expertise that we can digest on a work break.
Some of the hardest things to master are things that we feel we just inherently "have," but are actually things that naturally ebb and flow. We're talking confidence. We're talking about mastering confidence, about creating habits and goals that support confidence, and about creating the type of lasting confidence that propels us forward.
The following are nine TED Talks about all things confidence—where confidence comes from, how we can "grow" confidence, and how bravery leads to confidence.
Love TED Talks? Check These Lists of Our Favorites!
- 7 TED Talks on Happiness + Gratitude
- TED Talks to Make You Think Differently
- 5 TED Talks on How to Better Manage Your Time at Work
- 11 Hyper-Motivating TED Talks for You
3 Questions to Ask Yourself About Everything You Do by Stacey Abrams
It's no secret that we (expletive) love Stacey Abrams. We also love asking internally-directed questions when we're particularly stumped. In this TED Talk, Stacey Abrams tells us the three questions we should be asking ourselves—about everything.
How to Build Your Confidence—and Spark It in Others by Brittany Packnett
One huge way to build your confidence is to pay it forward—by sparking confidence in those around you. In this TED talk, Brittany Packnett breaks down how to build an infinite loop of confidence.
The Search for “Aha!” Moments by Matt Goldman
We're all looking for our "Aha!" moments. In this TED Talk, Matt Goldman tells us about his defining moment—and how it led him to co-found The Blue Man Group.
Teach Girls Bravery Not Perfection by Reshma Saujani
What if we told you that most of the most foundational lessons you learn about how to conduct yourself happened on the playground? Would you be surprised? In this TED Talk, Reshma Saujani talks about how we can teach girls to be brave—instead of perfect. (P.S. Saujani was also on the Career Contessa podcast discussing the same topic—disrupting perfection. Take a listen.)
To Raise Brave Girls, Encourage Adventure by Caroline Paul
Let's stick with the theme of teaching girls to be brave here. However, we'd urge grown men and women to watch this TED Talk by firefighter, paraglider, and all-around adventurer Caroline Paul. Let's get brave.
How to Raise Kids Who Can Overcome Anxiety by Anne Marie Albano
Risk breeds confidence. That's why psychologist Anne Marie Albano believes that constantly rushing to fix a child's problems can perpetuate a lifelong cycle of dependence and resentment. In this TED Talk, Albano describes how you can cultivate lasting confidence in those around you. This applies to everyone—not just parents.
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are by Amy Cuddy
What does your body language say about you? Enter the power pose. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing" can boost our own feelings of confidence—and might even have an impact on our chances for success. In this TED Talk, Cuddy breaks down how our body language shapes who you are—from the inside and out.
The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage by Susan David
What is emotional courage? Psychologist Susan David shares how the way we deal with our emotions shapes everything that matters. It shapes our actions, careers, relationships, health, and our overall happiness. In this TED Talk, David challenges a culture that prizes positivity over emotional truth—and how we can be more emotionally agile.
“Good” and “Bad” Are Incomplete Stories We Tell Ourselves by Heather Lanier
We're all taught to categorize everything—at a basic level—as "good" or "bad," but that can't be right, can it? Heather Lanier's daughter Fiona has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a genetic condition that results in developmental delays. In this TED Talk, Lanier questions our assumptions about what makes life "good" or "bad,"—and she challenges us to take life as it comes, without judgment.
