10 Must-Watch TED Talks for Project Managers

 

Are you looking for the resources helpful to become a better project manager? Do you need fresh ideas how to develop your business because of the constant feeling of stagnation? Lucky you, here’s the right place to improve the leadership skills, especially if you prefer to watch the speeches and learn from the examples instead of reading guides and manuals.

We know that the easiest way is to learn from the best – that’s why we want to take you on a journey through the most valuable TED talks made by PM experts!

10 Must-Watch TED Talks for Project Managers

1. The power of introverts – by Susan Cain

Susan is the co-founder of Quiet Revolution, the mission-based company created to make the world easier for the introverts. In her speech, she explains why these people, despite their quiet nature, can be one of the most influential persons in our environment. Watch the talk and find out why you should hire at least one introvert to your team!

2. The puzzle of motivation – by Dan Pink

Dan is one of the most influential business thinkers, the author of bestselling books, e.g. “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” His speech is dedicated to the autonomy and based on the Atlassian example he explains the importance of giving people personal projects and how it motivates them to be more creative.

3. Getting in Control and Creating Space – by David Allen

David Allen, which was mentioned in one of our latest roundups 20 Productivity Experts To Follow in 2017, explains in his speech the essence of Getting Things Done method. That’s the perfect way to understand how this time management methodology works and why we should implement it to our everyday life to become better project managers.

4. Lead like the great conductors – by Itay Talgam

Itay Talgam connects the music and project management being one of the most well-known Israeli conductors and business consultant. In the speech given in 2099 Itay tries to explain his way to create a perfect harmony without saying a word. Hard to not call him an expert in this field – making dozens of people play the clear and coherent sound with just waving a baton is a real thing!

5. How Great Leaders Inspire Action – by Simon Sinek

Simon is a motivational speaker and marketing consultant. He tries to explain the idea of “The Golden Circle” in his speech, using the Marin Luther Jr. as an example. To find out what this rule consists of and how it affects the leadership, watch the video below!

👉 Check also our article and find more specific information about time tracking for consultants

6. As work gets more complex, six rules to simplify – by Yves Morieux

Yves is the director of Boston Consulting Group’s Institute for Organization and an expert in corporate transformation. The speech, based on his experience, faces the way to understand the business complexity without making it too complicated. He tries to explain the idea of “Smart Simplicity” and gives the six rules how to deal with it.

7. Creative problem-solving in the face of extreme limits – by Navi Radjou

Navi, who is an innovation and leadership advisor, faces the problem of creating better value without using many different resources. What is his recipe for success and how to implement the strategy? Watch the speech!

8. Build A Tower Build A Team – by Tom Wujec

Tom is a fellow at Autodesk (2D & 3D design software company) and the author of many business resources. He describes the meanders of management by explaining “The marshmallow problem” – the exercise if building the tallest tower building the tallest tower from dry spaghetti, duct tape, a spool of thread and a marshmallow. Find out why this is a perfect way to build a smart and good team!

9. What It Takes to Be a Great Leader by Roselinde Torres

Roselinde is a senior leader in the People & Organization practice at The Boston Consulting Group. Her speech faces her way how to become a great leader. She tries to challenge it with the viewers’ leadership methods. How far can you go? Find out in the video!

10. How to stay calm when you know you’ll be stressed – by Daniel Levitin

Daniel is a one-man band. Being a neuroscientist, dean at Minerva Schools in San Francisco and a musician taught him how to deal with stress effortlessly. By “premortem” technique, which is a perfect way to save any project from failure, he tries to explain how to eliminate the effects of stressful situations.

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How do you feel after watching all of these inspiring speeches? Hope our goal has been achieved – now you’re thoroughly prepared for being a better project management and leader!

We also want to invite you to read 5 Most Inspiring TED Talks about Productivity!

Okay, the TED Talks watched, now it’s time to improve the time management skills! The best way to do it is using time tracking. Wonder how to do it? and the rest will follow!